Alum

Peter Bufano

Position
Assistant Professor
Affiliated Departments
Telephone
617-747-6506

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With his training in film scoring and circus arts, Peter Bufano has composed dozens of scores for films and circuses. He plays the accordion, founded the circus band Cirkestra, and performed in countless venues, such as the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the Kennedy Center, and 10,000-seat arenas nationwide.

In 2019, he was the recipient of Berklee's Newbury Comics Fellowship, where he created the Circus Music Workshop.

Career Highlights
  • Composed and produced 23 albums of film and circus music
  • Leader of Cirkestra
  • Performed with Big Apple Circus, Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Spiegelworld, Bindlestiff Circus, Circus Smirkus, Kinoshita Circus, and the American Repertory Theater
  • Recordings include Circus Dreams (2011), Hairless Woman (2011), Elephant (2011), Swing (2009), Pinocchio (2006), Alice (2005), and Cirkestra (2004)
  • Accordion player
Education
  • School Name
    Berklee College of Music
    State or Province
    Massachusetts
    Degree
    Professional Diploma
    Field of Study
    Film Scoring
    Date Degree Received
In Their Own Words

I hope to help students develop their own voices and create music with a clear point of view.

In my work as a composer, my scores must meet the requirements of the film and the vision of the director. It's a challenge, but I do my best work when I'm out of my comfort zone. I aim to challenge my students by leading them away from their comfort zone.