+++
date = "2015-06-24T18:02:00-06:00"
discipline = "Conductor"
lastmod = "2015-06-24T18:04:00-06:00"
primary_image = "https://res.cloudinary.com/schmopera/image/upload/v1545409169/media/webhook-uploads/1435189991514/so716bw.jpg.jpg"
publishDate = "2015-06-24T18:04:00-06:00"
related_companies = ["scene/companies/opera-on-the-avalon.md","scene/companies/sarasota-opera.md"]
slug = "christopher-james-ray"
title = "Christopher James Ray"
website = "http://www.christopherjamesray.com/"
[[social_media]]
platform = "Twitter"
template = "social-media"
url = "https://twitter.com/ChristopherJRay"
+++

Christopher James Ray is a Houston-based conductor with a diverse background in both traditional and contemporary operatic works. Christopher made his professional conducting debut leading a double bill of *Gianni Schicchi* and *Paglacci* with the Mississippi Opera in 2014. Later that year he conducted performances of *Così fan tutte*, *Suor Angelica*, and *Gianni Schicchi* with Opera in the Ozarks, where he also served as a staff coach. 

Additional conducting credits include four contemporary operas with the Florida State Opera- Heggie's *Three Decembers*, Glass's *In the Penal Colony*, Menotti's *The Old Maid and the Thief*, and Britten's *The Beggar's Opera*. Engagements for the 2014/15 season included assistant conductor with Syracuse Opera for *Die Fledermaus*, Sarasota Opera for *Le Nozze di Figaro* and *Don Carlos*, and conducting Land of Enchantment Opera's production of *Le Nozze di Figaro*. 

For the 2015/16 Christopher will make his debut at Opera on the James as assistant for Bizet's *Carmen* and return to Sarasota Opera for *Così fan tutte* and *Fidelio*.

As assistant conductor, Christopher has worked with North Carolina Opera 
(*La bohème*, *Così fan tutte*) and Opera on the Avalon (*Die Zauberflöte*). A protégé of American composer Carlisle Floyd, Christopher is a sought-after interpreter of Floyd's works. In addition to serving as Assistant to the composer for *Of Mice and Men* with Utah Opera in 2012 and Sarasota Opera in 2013, Christopher recorded a new album of Floyd songs with the celebrated mezzo-soprano Susanne Mentzer. It is available through GPR Records on the Naxos label. A frequent collaborator on new works,

A native of Sumrall, Mississippi, Christopher is a graduate of Florida State University where he studied with Douglas Fisher and Carlisle Floyd.
