Garay, Luis

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Luis Garay is a classical, jazz and Afro-Latin multi-percussionist, composer, recording artist, and educator. He is on the faculty of St. Albans School, the National Cathedral School, and served as adjunct percussion instructor at theCatholic University of America and director of the Catholic University Percussion Ensemble. He has been percussion soloist and director of the Luis Garay Percussion World Ensemble since 1996 and artistic director, founder, and instructor of the Lion Drummers World Percussion Seminar since 1998. Luis is a former principal timpanist of the Cordoba Symphony Orchestra. He also served as chairman, instructor and director of the percussion ensemble of the Cordoba State Conservatory of Music in Argentina for twelve years. A well-known percussionist in the nation’s capital, Mr. Garay’s performances include the Kennedy Center, Wolf Trap, Smithsonian Institution, DAR Constitution Hall, the Washington National Cathedral, and Strathmore Music Center. Luis was described by the Washington Post as a percussionist of “marvelous virtuosity,” and he received the prestigious honor by the U.S. government as an “Artist of Exceptional Ability.” Luis earned a Master of Music from the Catholic University of America and completed additional advanced studies at the Escola de Musica de Brasilia. Luis has recorded two CDs and maintains a busy studio in Silver Spring, Md.