Chris Garay is an educator, musician, and athlete based out of the Northern Virginia area. His performance career as a snare drummer includes the Jersey Surf, United Percussion, The Cadets, the Bluecoats, and Rhythm X. During this time he has studied under marching percussion educators Bret Kuhn, Tom Aungst, Michael McIntosh, Tim Fairbanks, Tim Maynard, and Tim Jackson. From 2009 – 2012 Chris taught the University of Virginia Drumline, and he has been with the drumlines at George Mason University and the Spirit of Atlanta since 2009 and 2011, respectively. 

Chris is originally from New Jersey, where he graduated with high honors from Delaware Valley Regional High School. In 2009 he completed his undergraduate work at the University of Virginia, earning a Bachelor of Arts with distinction in Philosophy and Religious Studies. Outside of directing George Mason's Indoor Drumline, Chris is a Program Manager at District CrossFit in Washington, D.C., and he blogs about health, movement, coffee, and music on his website.