Rebecca Ray has degrees from Ithaca College (1994 BM, Oboe Performance and Music Education) and the University of New Mexico (1997 MM, Oboe Performance). Ms. Ray has an active performance career and is currently principal oboist with the Las Cruces Symphony and the San Juan Symphony, second oboe and English horn in The Santa Fe Symphony, and freelances regularly on oboe and English horn with the New Mexico Philharmonic. Ms. Ray’s other freelance groups include Chatter, Opera Southwest, Music at St. John’s Cathedral, and the 505 Winds. 

Ms. Ray’s former positions in music education include Instructor of Oboe and Bassoon at New Mexico State University, Elementary Music Teacher for Las Cruces Public Schools, Director of Bands at the Bosque School in Albuquerque, and interim Oboe Instructor at the University of New Mexico. Currently Ms. Ray’s teaching focus is through private instruction and as an active clinician and double reed advocate in local school band programs.

Ms. Ray has a studio in uptown Albuquerque, Desert Double Reeds, where she specializes in double reed family instrument repair (NAPBIRT member since 1997). She moved from her home state of Connecticut to New Mexico in 1995, and her outside interests include aikido, reading, gardening, and bike riding. Ms. Ray is married to Alan Ray, and their happy home includes four lively dogs (Bella, Luna, Tucker, and Coco) and two tolerant cats (Miles and Pepper).