CODY RAY

CODY RAY (he/him/his) is a freelance composer, conductor, performer, and educator based in Akron, Ohio. Born in South Korea and raised in Wadsworth, Ohio, he has established himself as an emerging Midwest composer.

His bold, energetic and athletic musical style has been featured throughout the United States. Cody has had works performed and/or recorded by ensembles including the Grammy Award winning Cleveland Chamber Symphony, Arizona State University Wind Ensemble, Western Michigan University Symphony Orchestra, The Oberlin Conservatory Brass Ensemble, The University of Akron Brass Choir, and The University of Akron Symphony Orchestra to name a few. His works have been selected for performance at the North American Saxophone Alliance Biennial Conference, The International Trumpet Guild Conference, the NEOSONIC festival, the Akron New Music Festival, a PRISM quartet residency, and the U.S. Navy Band's International Saxophone Symposium. He has had the pleasure of receiving numerous commissions throughout his undergraduate and graduate career from both student and professional groups. Cody was the winner of the University of Akron's Composition Competition, the recipient of the James P. and Maureen C. Kovach Scholarship for the Performing Arts, a finalist for the American Prize, and a finalist for the ASCAP Morton Gould Young Composers Award. He holds a M.M. from Western Michigan University and a B.M. from the University of Akron. He has been fortunate to have studied under distinguished composers including Adam Roberts, Richard Adams, Lisa Coons, Nikola Resanovic, Robert Brownlow, and Daniel McCarthy. In addition, he has participated in masterclasses with Jordan Pal, Anthony Donofrio, Andrew Boysen, and Mark Camphouse.