CODY RAY (he/him/his) 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.
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 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 Lisa Coons, Richard Adams, Nikola Resanovic, Robert Brownlow, and Daniel McCarthy. In addition, he has participated in masterclasses with Jordan Pal, Anthony Donofrio, Andrew Boysen, and Mark Camphouse.
Still maintaining an active trumpet career, Cody has performed in various chamber and orchestral settings, including the Bronson Brass Quintet, the Academy Street Winds (Kalamazoo, MI), the University of Akron (Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Chamber Orchestra, Brass Choir, and 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 Robert White, Mark Maliniak, Jack Schantz, Scott Johnston, and Mark Dulin. He has enjoyed additional studies 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 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 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 Lisa Coons, Richard Adams, Nikola Resanovic, Robert Brownlow, and Daniel McCarthy. In addition, he has participated in masterclasses with Jordan Pal, Anthony Donofrio, Andrew Boysen, and Mark Camphouse.
Still maintaining an active trumpet career, Cody has performed in various chamber and orchestral settings, including the Bronson Brass Quintet, the Academy Street Winds (Kalamazoo, MI), the University of Akron (Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Chamber Orchestra, Brass Choir, and 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 Robert White, Mark Maliniak, Jack Schantz, Scott Johnston, and Mark Dulin. He has enjoyed additional studies 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.