Michael Raia is an active and versatile musician. He has had numerous performance opportunities internationally, appearing in venues throughout Europe, United States, and South Korea, including Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center, Boston Symphony Hall, Jinakdang Exhibition Hall at the National Center for Korean Namdo Performing Arts in Jindo, South Korea, Czech Museum of Music in Prague, Czech Republic, and Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, Austria to name a few. Michael has had the honor to perform under the baton of Bramwell Tovey, Ransom Wilson, and Roger Nierenberg. During the summers he has also participated in such festivals as Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Institute at Whistler, Domaine Forget International Music Festival, Imani Winds Chamber Music Festival, and attended British Isles Music Festival with faculty from the Royal Academy of Music in London, England. Michael has been a guest performer with Carnegie Hall affiliate ensemble, Decoda, now Ensemble Connect. He has also participated in The Orchestra of St. Luke’s Mentorship program.
While attending Freehold High School, he performed with every instrumental and vocal ensemble offered, and was a selected student leader in the music department for two years. In addition, Michael received high chairs in NJ All Shore Symphonic Band, CJMEA Region II Symphonic Band, and NJMEA All State Symphonic Band. An awarded musician, Michael received The Outstanding Jazz Soloist Award at the JLHS Jazz Festival and The John Philip Sousa Award.
As an educator, Michael has been a recommended, sought after teacher for Flute, Clarinet, and Piano. Since moving to Westchester County, NY, Michael has started a small private studio. He also is on faculty at The Convent of the Scared Heart in Greenwich, CT, St. Gregorios Orthodox Church MGM Study Center, and has been invited to teach at the Summer Arts Program at Hoff-Barthelson Music School. His students are all levels and ages, and have received high chairs in both NJMEA and NYSSMA Ensembles.
Michael's principal teachers of Clarinet are Charles Neidich, Ayako Oshima, and Joseph d'Auguste. He has been invited to appear in numerous masterclasses with Charles Neidich, Romain Guyot, Mark Van de Wiel, Julian Bliss, David Shifrin, and Andrew Simon. He has also pursued private piano instruction from Mariko Furukawa. Recently, Michael graduated from Purchase College at SUNY, Conservatory of Music Summa Cum Laude with a B.M. in Music Performance, and has currently began pursuing his M.M. in Music Performance at Mannes School of Music, at The New School in New York, New York as a grateful recipient of The President’s Scholarship along with additional merit scholarship.