ABOUT
In A few words…
THE SIMPLE FACTS
As an accomplished pianist and award-winning composer, Peter’s music has been featured on the stage as well as in media, including the Biography Channel, the Discovery Channel, PBS, The Learning Channel, MTV, corporate websites, educational software, interactive museum exhibits, and film. He has produced over 30 albums (several of his own music) and performed, arranged, and orchestrated on many others.
Peter was the grand prize recipient of the 2001 Turner Classic Movies Young Composer’s Competition, which led to composing music for the feature silent film “Camille” (1921) through TCM. In 2014, he was nominated for Album of the Year by Whisperings Solo Piano Radio for his album Prayerful Improvisations, featuring original solo piano music and hymn improvisations. Since then, Peter has recorded three more albums in this series, including a Christmas album and a Worship album. He also released a classical piano album—Peaceful Classics—dedicated to his late mother and visual artist, Ruth Vantine, to help raise awareness and funding for Alzheimer’s research.
From 2019-2021, he recorded the three-album piano solo series Notes of Comfort to provide contemplative music for relaxation and mediation. He arranged and orchestrated the music for two original musical dramas by playwright David MacAdam at New Life Fine Arts—Martin Luther: The Hammer and the Door and Esther: For Such a Time as This. In 2021, Peter completed his cantata for choir and “hybrid” orchestra, Vita Aeterna, which was recorded entirely remotely during the COVID-19 global pandemic with over 100 musicians and vocalists from around the world.
Peter also owns and manages ProArts Admin Services, providing administrative and support services for independent musicians and nonprofit leaders in the performing arts. He holds degrees in music from Berklee College of Music and Boston University. He has coached many musicians in the recording studio and at the piano, and served in church music roles from 1988-2018. While aiming to create a sense of calm and healing through music is a vital role for Peter, his most precious role is being a devoted husband and dad.
What People are saying…
accolades & Testimonials
“I just wanted to share that I felt led to give your CD to a client at The Well two weeks ago. We have them out at our display case, but I went and got it for her and thought she would like it. She came back the following week with tears in her eyes and told me the CD helped her encounter God and was such a gift. Just wanted to let you know that your music is still affecting people here!” – Andi, Executive Director, The Well
“I absolutely LOVE it! [Prayerful Improvisations is] fantastic. So very prayerful. I can feel the Holy Spirit in it.” – David Nevue, pianist and recording artist
“Soothing and peaceful inspiring instrumentals . . . a really fine and inspiring collection.” – Alan Campbell, Music Reviewer
“I have specifically given Peter’s CDs to residents who spend quite a bit of time in their room because groups and a change in environment can be over-stimulating causing them anxiety and agitation. Sudden loud music can also cause anxiety for many of our residents, which is why Peter’s music has been so beneficial. The consistency in dynamic and style lends itself perfectly to music listening for many of our residents and it creates a healing environment that we strive to maintain.” – Hilary Camino, Board Certified Music Therapist
“Glimpses of the Spirit is a most welcome CD. I’m glad you created one devoted to featuring instrumental music – Great for meditation and quiet time. Love your playing, especially on #3 JOY – Oh, very nice!! And KINDNESS, too – so many gems!” – Don Wilkins, Film Scoring Department Chairman Emeritus, Berklee College of Music
“Very beautiful Peter. Thank you for sharing your music and those amazing videos from NASA! Your music perfectly complements the awesome wonders of the world of Saturn. I loved it! Looking forward to more music and video of your space odyssey!” – Carol Ou, cellist and educator at New England Conservatory
“. . . the rehearsal went well. People enjoyed the piece . . . and the board was very happy. Our president said she could see it being a piece that would be desired by local colleges and high schools. Many commented at the end of rehearsal that they thought it was going to be beautiful.” – Jim Sharrock, director of the Monadnock Chorus
“What wonderful work you are doing. Interesting arrangements, strong vocals, wonderful playing. Overall, all three of these [songs] are strong and professional in their sound and approach . . . You are a strong writer and arranger and I look forward to hearing more from you in the future.” – Music Industry A&R Rep
“Wonderful production! Believe me, we have heard so many that we nickname ‘underwater’ recordings because the production is so bad. [Peter’s] is truly refreshing!” – Sr. Bridget Charles, Director at Pauline Records
“Peter . . . Your visions in sound for these X-mas classics are superb. Your instrumental colorings are imaginative, and well suited for the music lines that they support. The emotional appeal of each rendition will engage many a listener. Rather then tired versions we usually hear at Christmas, your renditions are inspired and have passion and drama. This is certainly what these carols need to properly reflect the great music that is contained in them. What Child is This shows great sensitivity and mystery, as expressed by your brilliant piano variations . . . You are a skilled arranger and instrumentalist . . . thank you for the pleasure and emotional lift I got after hearing your [music].” – Music Industry A&R Rep
Sherman, set the way-back machine…
history & STATS
Vantine Studio was the name of the Massachusetts-based recording studio that Peter operated from 2004-2007. The name was derived not only due to the owner sharing the same name, but more importantly it was done as an homage to the Vantine family legacy in the professional photography industry (that was also named Vantine Studio.)
Peter’s grandfather, Warren Kay Vantine (originally Vartanian), immigrated from Armenia in the early part of the last century during the Turkish genocide. In the early 1920s he and his brother, Edward both began photography studios – Warren in Boston, MA and Edward in Rochester, NY (which is still in business today as Vantine Imaging).
The family business prospered for over five decades taking on a large percentage of school, wedding, and portrait photography in the New England area. Peter recalls tagging along with his dad, one of their primary photographers, on many trips to photograph various events (as well as playing in the halls of the old studio on Boylston Street). To this day people still recall having their college photographs taken by Vantine Studio!
A 7’4″ Bösendorfer B225 Grand Piano was the centerpiece of Vantine Studio (the musical one).
EMAIL: music@petervantine.com
Download a one-page Fact Sheet
AFFILIATIONS
• ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers)
• BACC (Berklee Alumni Composers Collective)
AWARDS & NOMINATIONS
• Whisperings Solo Piano Radio Album of the Year – 2014 Nomination
• SoloPiano.com Christian Solo Piano Album of the Year – 2014 Nomination
• Young Film Composers Competition – 2001 Grand Prize Winner
• Segue Music – Recipient of College Internship Program
• North Shore Organ Society – College Scholarship
• Tanglewood – Young Artist’s Piano Program
EDUCATION
BOSTON UNIVERSITY, Boston, MA
Masters of Music in Music Education
BERKLEE COLLEGE OF MUSIC, Boston, MA
Bachelor of Music in Film Scoring and Music Production & Engineering (dual major)
NORTH SHORE COMMUNITY COLLEGE, Lynn, MA
Electronics Technician Certificate, graduated with honors
NEW ENGLAND CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC, Boston, MA
Piano Performance Studies, recording engineer with conservatory recording studio
