Described in the Washington Post as a percussionist of "marvelous virtuosity", Luis Garay was born in Cordoba, Argentina. (Percussion Professor at Cordoba State Conservatory of Music, Master of Music from The Catholic University of America   Additional advanced studies include the Escola de Musica de Brasilia in Brazil)  He is a percussion soloist & director of  Luis Garay Percussion World Ensemble.  He is also adjunct percussion faculty at Catholic University, director, founder of the Lion Drummers World Percussion Seminar. He is on the faculty of St. Albans School & National Cathedral School in Washington, DC.   He is a classical, jazz and Afro-Latin multi-percussionist. During his 30 year career, he has performed throughout the Americas and Europe. He has received prestigious awards such as recognition by the U.S. Government as an "Artist of Exceptional Ability, "a performance for Pope John Paul II in the Vatican, the gold medal from the International Rotary Club, the team leadership award of the Group Study Exchange Program and a fellowship from Amalia Lacroze de Fortabat The Inter-American Music Friends at Organization of American States and The Catholic University of America and Margot Fonteyn. He is a former principal timpanist of The Cordoba Symphony Orchestra, founder of the Cordoba Jazz Quartet and former director of Youth Percussionists of Cordoba.  He performed with the New Music Group of Cordoba and he was chairman, instructor & director of the percussion ensemble of the Cordoba State Conservatory of Music in Argentina for twelve years. He has accompanied numerous top artists and has been a performer, instructor, adjudicator, clinician, director, founder, composer, and conductor of timpani and percussion for symphony orchestras, bands, jazz, and percussion ensembles. A well known percussionist in the nation's capitol, Mr. Garay`s performances include the Kennedy Center, Wolf Trap, The Organization of American States, Department of State, Smithsonian Institution, The Argentine Embassy, DAR Constitution Hall & Washington National Cathedral, Strathmore Music Center, the Chinese Embassy, and a recording of the newly released CD “Celebrating Sacred Rhythms” with the Choral Arts Society.  Luis Garay’s CD, Sacumba, is a collection of his original Afro-Latin compositions performed by his group, “Percussion World.”  Mr. Garay is currently recording his second CD which will be released in 2006. He maintains a busy studio in Silver Spring, Md., where he runs his “World Percussion Program and teaches numerous private students. He is a member of The American Federation of Musicians, Washington, D.C. Local 161-710 and Percussive Arts Society.