Dr. Ray Wong, Pianist

Dr. Raymond (Ray) Wong is a Classical pianist based in New York. He has been featured in International Pianists Magazine, The New York Times, New Yorker Magazine, The Boston Globe, The Philly Inquirer, The Herald Tribune, WQXR New York Classical Radio, NPR National Public Radio, The National Classical Music Radio of the Czech Republic, The Georgia Straight, CBC Canadian National Radio and Television, among others.

Recent appearances include solo, chamber, and collaborative performances in Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, The Kimmel Center and The Academy of Music in Philadelphia, Carnegie Hall’s Weill Hall and Isaac Stern Auditorium, The Van Cliburn Recital Hall in Bass Performance Hall, and performances with The Juilliard Orchestra under the batons of Maestro Leonard Slatkin, Alan Gilbert, Jeffrey Milarsky, and Marin Alsop. He has had the privilege of working with many of his music idols such as Itzhak Perlman, Robert McDonald, The Juilliard String Quartet, and has played in masterclasses with numerous pedagogues including Jeremy Denk, Ivan Moravec, Christoph Eschenbach, Ann Schein, Yoheved Kaplinsky, Leslie Howard, Philippe Entremont, John Perry, among others.

As a soloist, Mr. Wong has been a laureate of The New York Concert Artists International Concerto Competition, New York Sinfionetta International Concerto Competition, The Bradshaw & Buono International Competition, Bechstein Piano Competition, the Mieczyslaw Munz Chopin Piano Competition, Festival of the Arts Canadian Music Competition, The Prague International Piano Festival Competition, Artists International Auditions and The Seattle International Piano Competition.

Dr. Wong has adjudicated on the jury of The Seattle International Piano Competition, The Pacific International Youth Society, and the Music Educators Association of New Jersey Piano Competitions. He was also an official collaborative pianist of The Walter W Naumburg International Competition.

Raymond was invited to join the First National Tour of the Tony Award winner Broadway musical, An American in Paris as a featured pianist performing music by George Gershwin. Venues include Walt Disney Hall in Orlando, The Fox Theatre in Saint Louis, The Academy of Music in Philadelphia, The Kennedy Center in Washington, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, and The Pantages Theaters in Los Angeles, among others.

Dr. Wong received his degrees in Solo Piano Performance and Collaborative Piano from The Manhattan School of Music and The Juilliard School. Raymond's Doctoral dissertation, "The Celestial Circus" is based on a work composed for him and pianist Xiayin Wang by composer Richard Danielpour. Its world premiere was given by Wang/Wong at Lincoln Center in March of 2014. He owes much to, and draws inspiration from his own teachers - Margo Garrett, Jonathan Feldman, Cameron Stowe, Jeffrey Cohen, Andre-Michel Schub, and Dr. Eugene Skovorodnikov.

In my piano studio, it is my goal to leave a footprint in my students’ lives as my teachers have left in mine.

I respect, admire, and owe so much to the wonderful teachers that have inspired me throughout my life. From my early fiery, passionate Russian training from Dr. Eugene Skorovodnikov (Professor from The University of British Columbia), realizing the beauty of sound and color from Jeffrey Cohen (disciple of Manahem Pressler, Professor at Manhattan School of Music), creating structure and strength from André-Michel Schub (disciple of Rudolf Serkin, Professor at Manhattan School of Music), to my most recent awe-inspiring teachers at The Juilliard School (Jonathan Feldman, Margo Garrett, and Cameron Stowe), there has always been a plethora of musical inspiration that has helped me grow as a musician, and as a human being.

To develop an intrinsic desire in my students to create music, and through proper technique and development, to actually produce these ideas at the keyboard are the most exciting, and fulfilling lessons for both the teacher and student.

As a registered teacher of The Music Development Program, The Royal Conservatory of Music, and The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, my students have been recipients of the Center and State Certificate of Excellence awards (the highest marks given in the state of New York), achieved first-class honors with distinction on their exams (from Introduction, Grades 1 through 10, to Performance Diploma), are capable of reading music at sight, and are thoroughly instructed in Technique and Ear Training. My abilities stem from my previous experiences in instructing dance at The Children’s Festival in Vancouver, Robotics, Engineering and Physics Courses for kids in summer camp at St. George’s School, to more current teaching experiences in the college level at The Manhattan School of Music, and at The Juilliard School.

The bond between a student and his teacher is especially strong in the arts. It is unique, and irreplicable. Through good times, and bad, it only grows with time. Not every lesson will be giggles and high fives, but praises will be given when deserved. Over the past 15 years, I have developed a personal and special bond working with children who have ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder.) I work with students of all ages and levels, children as young as 4, through adult.

With my doctorate in Solo Piano Performance, and a second masters in Collaborative Piano, I am trained to teach up to the Conservatory and University level.