Distinguished Faculty
Dubbed “The Rockstar of the Flute” by the Informador de Guadalajara (Mexico), Ráyo Furuta, a Mexican-Japanese American flutist, has graced stages worldwide with his commanding presence and versatility across classical, contemporary, world, jazz, and pop music genres. As a cultural ambassador to the United States in 2014, Furuta toured and taught in Mexico, Japan, Austria, Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, the Middle East, and North America. He has performed with luminaries like Yo-Yo Ma’s Silkroad Ensemble, The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, and The Juilliard School. Beyond solo and chamber performances, Furuta is dedicated to social justice and music education initiatives, impacting marginalized communities globally. As a curator, he leads prominent Californian arts organizations and champions innovative arts projects. Furuta is a recipient of several prestigious awards, including the Staller Scholar and “40 under 40” distinctions, and he holds a doctorate in musical arts from Stony Brook University.
