School of Music

Phone: (626) 815-6000, Ext. 3585
Phone 2: (909) 596-9390
Fax: (626) 969-7419
Email: dgray@apu.edu

Donavon Gray has developed the APU instrumental program to include two wind ensembles, a marching band, a handbell choir, and 12 chamber groups. Prior to his work at Azusa Pacific University, he taught at Biola University and Cerritos College, and served as director of bands at Valley Christian Schools in Cerritos, California. Gray has been a guest conductor, lecturer, and clinician throughout the United States, and is currently minister of music at Bethany Christian Reformed Church in Bellflower, California. He freelances as a professional trumpet player. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Dordt College, a Master of Arts from the University of Northern Iowa, and Doctor of Musical Arts from University of Southern California (USC).

Gray has been a part of the APU community since 1991. In addition to directing winds, brass, and percussion studies, he directs the Wind Ensemble, Handbell Choir, and University musicals, and teaches Instrumental Conducting and graduate Music Education.

DMA - Music Education, University of Southern California
M.A. - Music Education, University of Northern Iowa
B.A. - Music Education, Dordt College

Performances
Soloist, Norway, Sweden, Russia

Organizer and Clinician, APU Handbell Festival, Bellflower, California

Member, Windsong Symphony Orchestra tour, Greece

Contractor and Trumpet Player, Music Theatre of Southern California, over 50 musicals

Clinician, Association of Christian Schools International, Murietta, California

View All Professional/Scholarly Presentations

Academic Experience
Conductor of Wind Ensemble and Handbell Choir, Azusa Pacific University, 1991-present

Director of Winds, Brass, and Percussion Studies, Azusa Pacific University, 1991-present

Conductor of Concert Band, Jazz Band, and Pep Band, Cerritos College

Music Education Coordinator/Supervisor, Biola University

Ministerial/Para-church Experience
Minister of Music, Bethany Christian Reformed Church, Bellflower, California, 1998-present

Minister of Music, New Life Community Church, Artesia, California, 1992-1998

Honors, Awards, Recognition
Pi Kappa Lambda
Phi Mu Alpha
Who’s Who in Teaching, 2002

Associations, Boards, Committees
Chairperson of the Workload and Compensation Council, Azusa Pacific University
Member of General Studies Council, Azusa Pacific University