Brent Pierce, a native Albertan, graduated from the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, in 1982 with a Bachelor Degree in Education, majoring in secondary music. He taught in Camrose and Lloydminster for seven years, directing successful band programs in both cities. Brent went on to attend the University of Lethbridge where he completed a Bachelor of Music in composition and voice and he became a published and commissioned composer. Upon graduation he was awarded the Gold Medal for the Faculty of Fine Arts for having the highest academic standing amongst its graduates. Following his graduation from Lethbridge, he entered a Master’s program at the University of Alberta, studying composition. During this graduate program, he studied with several renowned Canadian composers, including Malcolm Forsyth and Violet Archer. Brent was twice awarded the Violet Archer Graduate Studies Composition Scholarship at the University of Alberta. Further, he was commissioned to compose for the Concordia College Choir and various other choral groups. From 2001-2003 Mr. Pierce served as director of the Mount Royal Youth Choir and was the Director of Music at Webber Academy, a private university preparatory school in Calgary, Alberta from 2001 to 2018. In 2017, he received the Elkhorn Award for the Most Outstanding Band Teacher in Alberta. Mr. Pierce retired from teaching in 2024 and now spends his time guest conducting, adjudicating and composing.