Gregory D. V. Holmes

Gregory D. V. Holmes is the first African American composer to earn a bachelor’s degree in music theory and composition from the University of Miami (c. 1980). He was a staff composer for Maryland Public Television, where he wrote the opening theme for the Peabody Award–winning show Terra: Our World. He earned his law degree at night and worked as a New York City trial attorney for 25 years before retiring and returning to music composition. In between trials, he ran a successful photography business and was awarded contracts to photograph the New Jersey All-State, Central Region, and Southern Region band and chorus ensembles.