EDUCATION

Raymond is a proud NYU graduate, mentored by giants such as Lenny Pickett, Brian Lynch, and Elliot Mason. With over a decade working alongside some of the most sought after musicians across the globe, Ray is now ready to offer his academic as well as experiential knowledge to the next generation. Ray is currently available for private one-on-one instruction in person, remotely, as well as group lectures and clinics for the following topics:

1. Brass, But Not Just Brass

• The Heartbeat of Brass: Bass Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, Trumpet, and Beyond
  Understand the voice of each instrument in the brass family then learn how they blend together. Explore the subtle differences in tone, attack, and resonance, and how each instrument can carry its own rhythm and emotional landscape.

2. Finding Rhythm in Your Bones

• Brass and the Groove: How to Feel and Fit in with Any Rhythm Section
  Rhythm is a conversation. Learn how to listen deeply and speak through your instrument, whether it’s tight with the bass or floating over the top. Explore the spaces between the notes and feel the pulse.

3. The Horn Section Journey

• Playing in the Room: From Basic to Advanced Horn Section Work
  Starting with the fundamentals: how to sit in the section and breathe with the group. Then, moving to the art of blending, leading, and following. A deep dive into how horn sections create mood, momentum, and magic, no matter the style.

4. The Studio as a Canvas

• Recording Remote: How to Sound Like You’re Right There
  The studio isn’t just a place, it’s a feeling. Learn how to translate your sound through the mic into something that feels alive. Mic placement, EQ tricks, and techniques for recording from home. Creating music that transcends the distance.

5. Your Sound, Your Voice

• The Search for Your Voice: Knowing When and How to Play Your Truth
  Every brass player has their own unique voice. But how do you find it? What is it about your sound that only you can express? Learn the balance between technique, taste, and honesty in performance.

6. Timeless Theory for Today

• Classical Music Theory in a New World
  Classical theory isn’t old—it’s ancient and modern at once. Learn to speak the universal language of music theory and then stretch it into today’s diverse genres. How do classical structures inform new sounds? It’s a conversation between centuries.

7. Ear Training for the World

• Listening Beyond Boundaries
  Train your ear to hear not just notes, but moods, rhythms, and inflections from across the globe. No matter where you play, your ear is your bridge to understanding and connecting with every style. Open your mind to different worlds of sound.

8. The Quiet Place Inside

• Calming the Mind and Opening the Heart for Improvisation
  When you improvise, you enter the unknown. But before you can go there, you must first calm your thoughts. This is about mental and emotional clarity. Learn to move from a place of openness, where the music flows through you rather than from you.

9. The Artist’s Craft

• Building the Toolbox: Craftsperson vs. Artist
  Craft is skill. Art is vision. As a musician, you are both. Learn how to navigate the balance—when to pull from your craft and when to trust the artist within you. It’s a dance between precision and intuition.

10. Creating Your Ecosystem

• Building the Space Where You Belong
  Every artist builds an ecosystem—people, places, projects, and partnerships. How do you find yours? Learn to identify environments where you thrive and learn to adapt and evolve within them.

11. Tools of the Trade

• Why Equipment Matters: Crafting Your Own Sound with the Right Gear
  The right instrument is not just a tool; it’s an extension of your voice. Understand the importance of finding gear that matches your personal sound, from horn to mouthpiece to mics. Gear isn’t just about the tech—it’s about the connection.