Daniel Luther Graves is a native and lifelong resident of Vermont, where he lives with his wife, Karen, and daughter, Kim. He studied theory and composition at the Hartt School of Music in West Hartford, Connecticut, and presently continues his study of music through the University of Massachusetts in Amherst.

Mr. Graves is a choral conductor and general music teacher for the Rutland City Public Schools. He has directed many choruses, concert bands, musicals, and various small ensembles. He performs professionally as a piano soloist, and also plays saxophone and serves as guest conductor for the Rutland City Band, the oldest continuous municipally supported band in the United States.

Dan composes pieces for brass ensembles, woodwind ensembles, concert band, orchestra, jazz band, chorus, and piano. He composes in a broad range of styles, revealing influences of classical, rock, pop, and ragtime.