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The Ray Gonzalez Memorial Scholarship was founded in 2026 by the people who knew and loved Ray best, his wife Giny Gonzalez and his closest friends and longtime musical collaborators: Luke Kirkwood, Edgar Jaime, Joe Beam, and Kevin Crouch.

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Ray Gonzalez (1980–2024) was the kind of musician who made every pit, stage, and rehearsal room better just by showing up. A masterful reed doubler, he brought artistry, reliability, and his signature quick wit to Theatre Under the Stars, the Houston Jazz Orchestra, the Houston Symphony, and countless community productions across Houston. Whether he was nailing a challenging book in the pit or cracking a perfectly timed joke during a tense tech rehearsal, Ray had a gift for making great music feel effortless and fun.

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But Ray’s real superpower was lifting others up. As a passionate educator, he mentored dozens of young musicians every semester, helping many earn spots in TMEA All-State ensembles. He believed deeply in the power of turning passion into a career, because he had done exactly that.

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This scholarship exists to carry forward that belief. Created by the five of us who shared decades of gigs, laughs, late-night rehearsals, and life with Ray, it supports talented, dedicated young musicians in the Greater Houston area who dream big and work hard, just like our friend did.

We’re not just honoring a phenomenal musician. We’re investing in the next generation of artists who will keep Houston’s stages alive with the same excellence, heart, and humor that Ray brought to every room he entered.

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Welcome to the family. Let’s make some music.