Dual Bachelors degrees in bass and trumpet were completed at Rowan University before earning a Masters degree in Bass at the Manhattan School of Music, studying with David Grossman. Subsequently, Ray completed the Doctor of Musical Arts at Stony Brook University, studying with Kurt Muroki and focusing on historical and modern tuning practices. Research there into the compositional theories and techniques of Igor Stravinsky culminated in numerous new arrangements for bass and piano. An active freelancer, Ray has performed with diverse groups such as The Wizard’s Consort, Blackmore’s Night, The Irish Tenors, Mario Cantone Live! and singer-songwriter Sahara Moon. He is an in-demand guest musician with orchestras such as Allentown Symphony Orchestra, Binghamton Symphony Orchestra, The Orchestra of Northern New York and the Princeton Symphony, and has performed in Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Apollo Theater and the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. International tours have brought him through Spain and China. He holds teaching positions at Rowan and Delaware State Universities.