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Bachelor Degree: University of Hartford (Music Education Voice and Instrumental)
Bachelor Degree, Master Degree: Manhattan School of Music
Decades of Achievers Award
Tito Puente Performing Arts Award
Servant of Christ Award
I am an award-winning professional in high demand, with over ten years of performance and teaching experience in music. Performing nationally and internationally, my resume is extensive in the specific fields of classical and musical theatre. I strive to motivate my students to achieve their very best musically either as a hobby or career, and collaborate with casting and artistic directors to offer them exposure and employment opportunities as they strive toward their performance achievements.
Ray has been hailed by Opera News as, "terrific!", the New York Times praised, "Ray C. was effectively cast...a solid professional with vocal elegance." The Taconic Press acclaims him as, “an exceptional voice…leaving audiences cheering…" with his performances being, “ardent and utterly convincing." The New York Sun said of his stage craft: “Ray C. makes the most of it, combining savvy stage business with a warm voice…expertly straddling that razor thin line between parody and poignancy…scored a direct hit." While the Berkshire Review simply calls him, "...Perfect!"
His travels have led him to make appearances with Grandview Opera (General & Co – Artistic Director), the Light Opera Company Of Salisbury (General & Artistic Director), Prelude to Performance (Associate Conductor), Amore Opera (Principal Conductor), the Opera Orchestra of New York, New York Grand Opera, Connecticut Opera, Connecticut Concert Opera, Greater New Britain Opera, Berkshire Opera, Bardavon Opera, Jacksonville Lyric Opera, Opera Ischia (Italy), Bronx Opera, New Rochelle Opera, Amato Opera, Bleecker Street Opera (Associate Conductor), Regina Opera, Long Island Opera, the New Britain Symphony Orchestra, the Brooklyn Philharmonic, the Staten Island Philharmonic, the Belleayre Music Festival, American Opera Preview, in collaboration with artists and staff of the Metropolitan Opera, at Carnegie Hall, Bechstein Hall, Merkin Hall, Symphony Space, and Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center.
I collaborate with my students to assess their current musical abilities and set reasonable goals to ensure they achieve the very best of their musical experience, leading to higher levels of musical creativity, expression, and performance. Lessons are catered to reinforce proper foundations and techniques, while offering progressive challenges. I utilize a variety of schools of instruction, methods, and techniques to offer students multiple options which will best nurture their musical growth.
My focus is to do all I can to assist my students in achieving their musical goals. Wether delving further into the craft of music as a hobby, beginning the process toward learning a new instrument, or seeking to set down the path of a professional musical career; I ensure my students are granted the very highest musical experiences they are looking for. Many of my students have begun their musical instruction in my studio and have gone on to become music educators, professional Broadway and international performers. I am exceptionally honored to have started them on their musical paths.