Teacher Profile: Michael Ray

About Michael Ray

Plato once said, “Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.” For Michael Ray, being the son of local Pacific Northwest composer, Deborah Anderson, meant that music has been an integral part of his life since he was born. His first instrument was the cello and he studied at the University of Puget sound while performing with the Tacoma Youth Symphony. He pursued his interest for the drums when he started high school and went on to perform and record with his highschool rock band, “The Longshots.” Throughout his study of Environmental Science at the University of Washington, he taught himself how to compose, record, and produce music while learning the piano and the guitar.

Upon completion of his Bachelor’s, he traveled around the world for six years. For four years he lived between France, Switzerland, and Austria, where he perfected his French, and learned Italian, and German. He earned a living with his cello as a street performer, and fondly recalls the glow and warmth from his years performing in Montemarte, Paris. Throughout his eighteen month stay in Vienna, Austria, he attended least one classical concert per week. These vivacious performances continue to inspire him today.

Today, Michael is primarily composing and producing his own neoclassical and cinematic music, and working as an intern for London Bridge studios in Seattle, WA. His passion for teaching is rooted in the belief that music provides us all the opportunity to better understand ourselves, and by extension the communities in which we live.

Outside of the world of music, Michael is an avid swimmer, and enjoys cooking and reading. You’ll find him tending to his garden from spring to fall, and playing with his dog, Max, whenever he can. He’s looking forward to getting married to his fiancée in Alaska this May.