Ray Contreras is a versatile and innovative Venezuelan percussionist. Born in San Cristóbal, Táchira State, where from an early age was immersed in music, influenced by the extensive Venezuelan musical mix. Ray’s artistic activity begins at the age of nine, in the youth orchestra of Táchira foundation (Fundamusical Bolívar), where he began his studies in the class of percussion of renowned master José “Cheo” Cárdenas; a few months later, he enters the Youth Symphony Orchestra of the State. Ray’s appearances really stood out in 1994, when he was selected to be part of the percussion row of first National Children’s Orchestra of Venezuela created by Maestro José Antonio Abreu. He was integrated and participated in different orchestras, bands and ensembles, such as: the Percussion Group Benjamín Carriel, Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Táchira, Binational Youth Symphony Colombo-Venezuelan, Official Concert Band Marco Antonio Rivera Useche , Percussion Ensemble of Tachira, Venezuela Trombone Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra of the Opera of the State, Percussion Ensemble of the Andes, among others. He also has participated in numerous national and international festivals and seminars. Parallel to this, in mid-2006, Ray began his college degree in music at the National Experimental University of Táchira (UNET), and simultaneously became involved as a drummer and percussionist with reknown artists and bands of national and international reputation, some of these are: Gran Coquivacoa, Servando y Florentino (Latin Grammy Nominees), María Teresa Chacín (Latin Grammy Winner), Caoba Orquesta, Jhonny Mendoza, The Cadillacs, among others, in different genres such as rock, pop, latin, jazz, Afro-Venezuelan and fusion, to name a few.   Ray has had the opportunity to perform in major concert halls and theaters in Venezuela, Mexico, Aruba, Colombia and the United States.   Moreover, he has participated in musical projects next to really great teachers: José Antonio Abreu, Rodney Winter, Gustavo Dudamel, John Grimes, José Cheo Cárdenas, Ángelo Pagliuca, Edgar Saume, Gustavo Medina, César Ivan Lara, Gregory Carreno, Renata Cedeño, among other teachers who have grown in their great vocation with Ray as a musician. Ray currently performs with The Cadillacs, with the Percussion Ensemble of the Andes, Servando y Florentino (drums backup), and various personal music projects. Also he dedicates his time to working in the studio, recording and producing for local and national artists. Ray is Turkish Cymbals and Cympad endorse