Young Composers Competition

Daniel Pesca is a composer and pianist whose music is characterized by its color and imagination, and whose interpretations stand out for their creativity and dynamism. The common theme in Daniel’s myriad activities is his passion for collaboration. His partnerships with a variety of ensembles, individual musicians, and fellow composers have cultivated a prolific body of work. 

Among Daniel’s most recent compositions are Walk with me, my joy for Constellations Chamber Concerts in Washington, DC and New Examples of Confusion for the Chicago Center for Contemporary Composition at University of Chicago. Other recent works have been commissioned with support from national granting organizations including the National Endowment for the Arts and New Music USA, for ensembles such as the American Wild Ensemble and the Oberlin Contemporary Ensemble, and for artists such as guitarist Dieter Hennings, tenor Zach Finkelstein and flutist Sarah Frisof. His music has been heard at festivals and venues across the United States and in Europe. 

As pianist, Daniel has premiered over 150 works, is a founding member of the Grossman Ensemble and co-director of the Zohn Collective, appears on a dozen commercial recordings (including a solo album, Promontory), and has performed as soloist with orchestras in works by Messiaen, Bernstein, Berg, Carter, and others. 

Daniel is currently an assistant professor of composition at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. He was on faculty at University of Maryland, Baltimore County from 2019 to 2023, and prior to that taught at University of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University, Ithaca College, and Syracuse University. He holds degrees in composition and piano from Eastman and the University of Michigan.

Photo credit: Caitlin Oldham