Meet The Directors
John F. Grant, Band Director
Education:
University of Delaware 2002: BA in Music Education
Wilmington University 2010: Masters in School Counseling
Certified:
Music K-12, School Guidance 9-12 (5-8 in Middle School)
Mr. Grant has been the Music Director at DMA since the day of it’s opening in 2003. Since then he has built an
award winning band and choir program.
The DMA Marching Band has achieved several outstanding accomplishments including achieving a superior ranking at Music in the Parks in 2009, the Esprit De Corps award in 2009 in competition with 70+ groups from the east coast. The band has also had the opportunity to travel to Disney twice for once-in-a-lifetime educational performance opportunities including participating in Disney’s 2010 Memorial Day Parade. In the past he has worked with many high school marching bands including Thomas Dale HS in Chester, VA, Elkton HS in Elkton, MD, and Glasgow HS, in Newark, DE. In these positions he gained experience arranging music and writing drill for a marching band. During his time at University of Delaware he was a 4 year member of the Marching Band where he served as a staff member for 3 years; 99’- Music Section Leader, 00’ Drill Section Leader, 01’ Music Coordinator for Brass section.
The DMA Choir has also achieved several outstanding accomplishments during its years of operation including achieving “superior” and “excellent” rankings at music festivals across the east coast and performing at many honorary events in Delaware. Since earning his Masters degree in School Counseling, Mr. Grant has handed the choir torch on to the new chorus director and continues to support and travel with the chorus. He looks forward to the great strides and achievements the choir will take under this new and talented director.
University of Delaware 2002: BA in Music Education
Wilmington University 2010: Masters in School Counseling
Certified:
Music K-12, School Guidance 9-12 (5-8 in Middle School)
Mr. Grant has been the Music Director at DMA since the day of it’s opening in 2003. Since then he has built an
award winning band and choir program.
The DMA Marching Band has achieved several outstanding accomplishments including achieving a superior ranking at Music in the Parks in 2009, the Esprit De Corps award in 2009 in competition with 70+ groups from the east coast. The band has also had the opportunity to travel to Disney twice for once-in-a-lifetime educational performance opportunities including participating in Disney’s 2010 Memorial Day Parade. In the past he has worked with many high school marching bands including Thomas Dale HS in Chester, VA, Elkton HS in Elkton, MD, and Glasgow HS, in Newark, DE. In these positions he gained experience arranging music and writing drill for a marching band. During his time at University of Delaware he was a 4 year member of the Marching Band where he served as a staff member for 3 years; 99’- Music Section Leader, 00’ Drill Section Leader, 01’ Music Coordinator for Brass section.
The DMA Choir has also achieved several outstanding accomplishments during its years of operation including achieving “superior” and “excellent” rankings at music festivals across the east coast and performing at many honorary events in Delaware. Since earning his Masters degree in School Counseling, Mr. Grant has handed the choir torch on to the new chorus director and continues to support and travel with the chorus. He looks forward to the great strides and achievements the choir will take under this new and talented director.
Education:
West Chester Unversity 1992: BS in Music Education
Certified:
Music K-12: Vocal, General, and Instrumental
Mr. Peters is very excited to join the amazing music department at DMA. Darrin is a graduate of West Chester University with a BS in Music Education and has Instructional Certification for teaching music in grades K-12 in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New Jersey. He has taught music and directed choirs for 18 years in the public school systems of Delaware, Maryland, and most recently at Pennsville Memorial High School and Pennsville Middle School in Pennsville, New Jersey. He has demonstrated the ability to draw out the talents of singers of all
Darrin Peters, Choral Director
ages. At Pennsville he conducted nine different choirs, taught theatre and dance classes, and served as the Drama Club Advisor as well as director, choreographer, and music director for the spring and summer musical productions. Darrin is also an instructor, director, orchestra conductor, and choreographer for the Young People's Theatre Workshop in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. He has directed and choreographed over 20 productions with YPTW including: Annie, Oklahoma, Fiddler on the Roof, State Fair, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Once on This Island, and The Music Man.
Darrin is very active in professional and community theatre. He has performed, directed, and choreographed at The Media Theatre, Millbrook Playhouse, Pocono Playhouse, The New Candlelight Theatre, Three Little Bakers Dinner Theatre, Celery Garden Dinner Theatre, Covered Bridge Theatre, Delaware Children's Theatre, Wilmington Drama League, Chapel Street Players, Narberth Theatre, The Barnstormers, and The Players Club of Swarthmore. One of his favorite production accomplishments was directing and choreographing The Producers in 2010 with The Players Club of Swarthmore. He is looking forward to his musical journey here at DMA!
West Chester Unversity 1992: BS in Music Education
Certified:
Music K-12: Vocal, General, and Instrumental
Mr. Peters is very excited to join the amazing music department at DMA. Darrin is a graduate of West Chester University with a BS in Music Education and has Instructional Certification for teaching music in grades K-12 in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New Jersey. He has taught music and directed choirs for 18 years in the public school systems of Delaware, Maryland, and most recently at Pennsville Memorial High School and Pennsville Middle School in Pennsville, New Jersey. He has demonstrated the ability to draw out the talents of singers of all
Darrin Peters, Choral Director
ages. At Pennsville he conducted nine different choirs, taught theatre and dance classes, and served as the Drama Club Advisor as well as director, choreographer, and music director for the spring and summer musical productions. Darrin is also an instructor, director, orchestra conductor, and choreographer for the Young People's Theatre Workshop in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. He has directed and choreographed over 20 productions with YPTW including: Annie, Oklahoma, Fiddler on the Roof, State Fair, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Once on This Island, and The Music Man.
Darrin is very active in professional and community theatre. He has performed, directed, and choreographed at The Media Theatre, Millbrook Playhouse, Pocono Playhouse, The New Candlelight Theatre, Three Little Bakers Dinner Theatre, Celery Garden Dinner Theatre, Covered Bridge Theatre, Delaware Children's Theatre, Wilmington Drama League, Chapel Street Players, Narberth Theatre, The Barnstormers, and The Players Club of Swarthmore. One of his favorite production accomplishments was directing and choreographing The Producers in 2010 with The Players Club of Swarthmore. He is looking forward to his musical journey here at DMA!