Jay Dref

Classical crossover artist Jay Dref inspires audiences with his passionate, transcendent voice. His uplifting, timeless interpretations of classic standards and modern material showcases his impeccable technique, artistic dexterity and powerful ability to forge deep emotional connections through his music.

Jay studied classical music and opera at Eastman School of Music, where he received the Allen Award for Best Vocalist. That same year, he received the Young Musicians Award from the Buffalo (New York) Philharmonic Orchestra. Committed to becoming a professional artist, he auditioned for the prestigious Juilliard School and was awarded a full scholarship.

Most recently, Jay was invited to join Sarah Brightman on her 2021 Christmas Symphony Tour. Traveling the US with his idol was a dream come true. During the COVID pandemic, he participated in online concerts sponsored by Classical Crossover Magazine. Jay was asked to perform at a private event for Bing Crosby’s son in Atlanta, Georgia in 2019 and in 2018 he was a featured artist at Live in the Vineyard, a national event for radio programmers held by invitation only in Napa Valley, California. In 2020 he released an original duet with Italian soprano Angelica Volpi, L'Amore e' un Attimo, which has remained a popular choice on his digital music platforms. Previously, he collaborated with songwriting team Lauren Christy and Stephan Moccio on his debut single “Taxi in the Rain.” Moccio, who also worked with Brightman, praised Jay as “the “best of the best,” and Christy described him as a “really special singer.”

Jay is a popular soloist with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and has been a featured performer with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and at Lincoln Center. He has also performed at Alice Tully Hall, The Peter Jay Sharp Theatre, The Chautauqua Institution, The Burchfield Penney Art Center and many other venues.

Musically fluent in five languages — English, French, Italian, German and Russian— he continues to use music to offer others the gift of escape to places of true beauty.