Why One of Utah's Most Influential Families Put Their Name on a Music School
Salt Lake City, UT (PRUnderground) August 20th, 2026
As the former Gifted Music School has transitioned into the Diana & Joel Peterson School of Music, the new name honors a lifelong belief that Diana Peterson shared with her late husband, Joel -- music education has the power to transform lives. That conviction, shaped by Diana's own childhood and carried into the family they built together, is reflected in a name that carries on the school's legacy into its next chapter.
In their 53 years of marriage, Diana and Joel had seven children together and 33 grandchildren. Joel served as the Chairman of JetBlue Airways and was the founding partner of the investment firm, Peterson Partners.
For the past 15 years, Diana Peterson has served as a board member of the school (three of those as board chair), having been recognized for decades before for her dedication to driving innovation and excellence in children's education. Her commitment to accessible high-quality music education started long before she became a philanthropist or nonprofit leader.
Raised in a family where all eight children studied music daily from kindergarten to at least high school graduation, Diana credits her mother with instilling the love of the arts that has shaped her life. Weekend chores were carried out to the sound of Metropolitan Opera broadcasts, and at age 8 she attended her first opera. Diana grew to be an accomplished pianist and violinist, becoming a member of the California Youth Symphony, of Brigham Young University's A Cappella Choir, and later of the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square.
For Diana and Joel, music was a basic element of their home. Shortly after buying their first house, they went looking for a kitchen table and chairs -- but returned from their shopping trip with a grand piano instead. Years before the music school was created, the Petersons watched founders Eugene and Vera Watanabe teach their own children, calling what they witnessed "magical." Later, after the school had been officially started, Diana was invited to join the board.
The nonprofit in Salt Lake City was founded on the belief that students who are able to pursue music at the highest level would not only become excellent musicians, but capable, dedicated students and citizens of their communities, as well. It was named "Gifted Music School," a direct translation of the name of the legendary music schools in Russia which had given Vera the superb music education that she now intended to share with children in her new home in Utah. Seventeen years later, under its new name as Peterson School of Music, the school remains committed to providing world-class music education.
"Our dream is that the opportunities that music study provides will become accessible to everyone," Diana explained. "Through music education, students learn to overcome even the most daunting of challenges. Through the discipline that music requires, students build character, patience, and persistence, gaining over time the inner conviction that they can accomplish anything. In music, you start with something that seems impossible, but through daily focused practice and attention to detail, the joyful experience of making progress and gaining new ability and competence occurs over and over, until what once seemed impossible becomes easy. It's a beautiful process! And the foundational lessons and character development ingrained through that process remain throughout life. What better gift could we give to the children of our community and our world?"
The mission of the Diana & Joel Peterson School of Music is realized through three interconnected programs. The GRIT program, a full-scholarship initiative, provides high-level music education to nearly 500 students across three Title I schools. The Academy bridges the gap between early music study and pre-professional training. At the highest level is The Conservatory, a prestigious full-scholarship program that prepares students for admission to the nation's top schools and conservatories.
When the school first started, its founders envisioned one day honoring a family whose impact reflected their values, following the pattern of schools such as Juilliard and Curtis Institute of Music. The renaming publicly cements decades of support and a shared commitment to expanding access to transformative music education.
About Diana & Joel Peterson School of Music:
The Diana & Joel Peterson School of Music, formerly the Gifted Music School, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation committed to providing the highest level of music education. Based in Salt Lake City, the school launched in 2008 with the mission to provide a comprehensive pathway to world-class music education, with an expansive curriculum and distinguished faculty. Through its full-scholarship GRIT program, it ensures access to high-quality instruction for students of all backgrounds. The school stands as a beacon of musical excellence and education, shaping the young musicians of tomorrow. Visit petersonschoolofmusic.org for more information.
