For over thirty years Ray Tamez has enjoyed a career as a freelance musician, performing in many diverse musical genres throughout the United States. He regularly performs with San Antonio band Passing Strangers and solo classical guitar repertoire for special events throughout Texas. A few of his performances and collaborations include:
Performed works by Heitor Villa-Lobos, Manuel Ponce, Gerald Garcia, and Arvo Part accompanying author John Phillip Santos reading in Public Art: Creek Codex - San Pedro Creek Culture Park on Texas Public Radio, March 27, 2024.
Performed Guitar Concerto No. 2 In Somnis Veritas composed by Mark Francis at the Lux Musicae: Texas Composers Concert at North West Vista College, March 30th, 2022
Performances with Passing Strangers for Morgan’s Wonderland Fundraiser, Make A Wish Fundraiser Gala, Victim Flood Relief Show at Wetmore Beach House August 2025, and Landa Nights 2025 fundraiser for Landa Gardens.
Performances at Trinity University’s Parker Chapel for the Music @ ParkerChapel Series, 2019- present
Voices of the 18th Century at the San Antonio Museum of Art, continuo/obbligato ensemble accompanying the San Antonio Choral Society, May 2018.
Performed works by Manuel Ponce accompanying author John Phillip Santos reading Mi Querido/My Beloved paired with photographs of rural communities in post-revolutionary Mexico by Mexican artist Manuel Carrillo at the McNay Art Museum, May 2018.
Three Songs from Sonnets to Human Beings for guitar and soprano, a setting of Poet Laureate Carmen Tafolla’s poetry, composed by Dr. Kevin Salfen (UIW) for the Composers Alliance of San Antonio’s Spring Concert at Trinity University and for Thursday Night Live, A Presentation of the Research Process in the Creation of Live Performance Artwork at the University of the Incarnate Word, Spring 2013
Ray holds an Associate of Arts degree from San Antonio College studying under Terry Muska. He also holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Guitar Performance from the University of Texas at San Antonio studying under Dr. Matthew Dunne and Dr. Matthew Hinsley, and a Master of Music degree in Guitar Performance from Southern Methodist University where he studied with Robert Guthrie. Ray also attended Berklee College of Music and studied privately with Tom Johnson of the University of North Texas. He has performed in master classes for William Kanengiser, Judicaël Perroy, Jason Vieaux, Roland Dyens and David Mosqueda. His solo classical repertoire includes works by Agustin Barrios, Manuel Ponce, and Heitor Villa-Lobos, among others. Ray currently teaches guitar classes and private lessons at the University of the Incarnate Word and Trinity University.