Brent Michael Davids

Brent Michael Davids (born June 4, 1959 in Madison, Wisconsin, United States) is an American composer and flautist. He is a member of the Stockbridge Mohican nation of American Indians. He has composed for Zeitgeist, the Kronos Quartet, Joffrey Ballet, the National Symphony Orchestra, and Chanticleer.

He holds a B.M. degree in music composition from Northern Illinois University (1981) and an M.M. in music composition from Arizona State University (1990), and is currently pursuing an M.A. in American Indian religious studies from Arizona State University.

In addition to concert music, Davids writes music for films. He composed music for the 2002 film The Business of Fancydancing and has composed a new score for the American 1920 film The Last of the Mohicans. In 2013, he was honored with a NACF Artist Fellowship in Music.

Davids' Mohican name is Blue Butterfly. He lives in Saint Paul, Minnesota and is an active participant with the First Nations Composer Initiative. He has also served as Composer-in-Residence with the Native American Composers Apprenticeship Project.

Life & Career

Brent Michael Davids was originally born in Madison, Wisconsin, but his family moved to Chicago during his early childhood. His father worked in the telephone business while also being a skilled craftsman outside of work. His mother was a piano teacher and choral director. Early in life, Brent studied piano and music theory under the rigorous training of his mother. Concurrently. He would learn about telecom and audio technology as well as crafting metal, glass, and crystal. In his education prior to college, Brent played a trombone and flute while also budding his early skills as a composer. His early experience and influence of his parents would help shape his future success.

...
Wikipedia