CODY RAY is a freelance composer, conductor, performer, and educator based in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Born in South Korea and raised in Wadsworth, Ohio, he has established himself as an emerging Midwest composer. He currently serves as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at Western Michigan University and holds a Bachelor of Music Composition degree from the University of Akron.
His bold, energetic and athletic musical style has been featured throughout the U.S.. 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 pieces have been featured at the 2020 North American Saxophone Alliance Biennial Conference, the Akron New Music Festival, and Cleveland's NEOSONIC fest. 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, and a recent finalist for the ASCAP Morton Gould Young Composers Award. He is fortunate to have studied under distinguished composition professors including Dr. Lisa Coons, Dr. Richard Adams, Dr. Nikola Resanovic, Dr. Robert Brownlow, and Dr. Daniel McCarthy. In addition, he has participated in masterclasses with Dr. Jordan Pal, Dr. Anthony Donofrio, Dr. Andrew Boysen, and Mark Camphouse.
Still maintaining an active trumpet career, Cody has performed in various chamber and orchestral settings. During his time in Akron, he performed with the University of Akron Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Chamber Orchestra, Brass Choir, New Music Ensemble, The Cleveland Philharmonic, the Avenue Brass Quintet, and the University of Akron Faculty Brass Quintet. Cody has enjoyed the opportunity to perform with guest musicians including Nestor Torres, Alexis Cole, Joseph Alessi, John Fedchock, and others. He has competed as both a quarter and semi-finalist in the National Trumpet Competition. Cody's primary trumpet instructors have included Dr. Robert White, Dr. Joshua Ganger, Mark Maliniak, Scott Johnston, and Dr. Mark Dulin. He has also had the privilege to participate in numerous masterclasses with preeminent artists such as Justin Emerich, Michael Sachs, Jack Sutte, Mark Hughes, and Hunter Eberly.
Serving as an advocate for new music, he co-founded N.E.O. SOUND, a new music organization, in the fall of 2018. When he is not working on a new piece or practicing his trumpet, Cody likes to go on runs, work out at the university gym, sip on new coffees and beers at local shops and breweries, and spending time with both family and friends.
His bold, energetic and athletic musical style has been featured throughout the U.S.. 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 pieces have been featured at the 2020 North American Saxophone Alliance Biennial Conference, the Akron New Music Festival, and Cleveland's NEOSONIC fest. 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, and a recent finalist for the ASCAP Morton Gould Young Composers Award. He is fortunate to have studied under distinguished composition professors including Dr. Lisa Coons, Dr. Richard Adams, Dr. Nikola Resanovic, Dr. Robert Brownlow, and Dr. Daniel McCarthy. In addition, he has participated in masterclasses with Dr. Jordan Pal, Dr. Anthony Donofrio, Dr. Andrew Boysen, and Mark Camphouse.
Still maintaining an active trumpet career, Cody has performed in various chamber and orchestral settings. During his time in Akron, he performed with the University of Akron Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Chamber Orchestra, Brass Choir, New Music Ensemble, The Cleveland Philharmonic, the Avenue Brass Quintet, and the University of Akron Faculty Brass Quintet. Cody has enjoyed the opportunity to perform with guest musicians including Nestor Torres, Alexis Cole, Joseph Alessi, John Fedchock, and others. He has competed as both a quarter and semi-finalist in the National Trumpet Competition. Cody's primary trumpet instructors have included Dr. Robert White, Dr. Joshua Ganger, Mark Maliniak, Scott Johnston, and Dr. Mark Dulin. He has also had the privilege to participate in numerous masterclasses with preeminent artists such as Justin Emerich, Michael Sachs, Jack Sutte, Mark Hughes, and Hunter Eberly.
Serving as an advocate for new music, he co-founded N.E.O. SOUND, a new music organization, in the fall of 2018. When he is not working on a new piece or practicing his trumpet, Cody likes to go on runs, work out at the university gym, sip on new coffees and beers at local shops and breweries, and spending time with both family and friends.