Classically-Trained singer Jay Dref inspires audiences with his passionate, transcendent voice.
Born in Buffalo, NY, Dref began his journey sparked by a spirit of adventure, a sense of humility and a dream, inspired by the view from the shores of Lake Erie. His passion for theatrical music abundant with big emotions was first ignited while listening to classical music – particularly by composers such as Mozart and Puccini – and as he watched the Three Tenors PBS concerts, The Lawrence Welk Show and other variety specials on television. He participated in local community theatre and choir, where he started to develop his stage presence. He then began studying classical music at the 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 Philharmonic Orchestra. Committed to becoming a professional artist, he auditioned for the prestigious Juilliard School and was awarded a full scholarship.

Dref has been a featured soloist with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and has given numerous recitals at Lincoln Center. He has also performed at Alice Tully Hall, The Peter Jay Sharp Theatre, The Chautauqua Institution, The Burchfield Penney Art Center, The Delancey, The Bitter End and “Live In The Vineyard” in Napa Valley, CA. Dref also maintains a connection to his first love, musical theatre, participating in productions throughout the country, most recently playing the role of Enjolras in the Fireside Theatre production of Les Miserables in Fort Atkinson, WI. Dref has been featured regularly on both television and radio on ABC Channel 7, the TCT Network, The Celebrity Page and VH1 as well as on Buffalo’s classical music station, 94.5 WNED, OWWR Long Island, The Weekend with Ed Kalegi, and the Jim Brickman Show. His Christmas single “A Wish on Christmas Day” streamed over 200,000 times on national retail radio.

Jay’s vocal talent recently caught the ear of songwriter, composer, pianist, producer, Grammy and Academy Award-nominee Stephan Moccio (Celine Dion, The Weeknd, Dua Lipa, Miley Cyrus) and singer, songwriter, producer Lauren Christy (Jason Derulo, Avril Lavigne, Christina Aguilera, Bebe Rexha). The two powerhouses paired up to produce Jay in the studio, and discovered his innate pop sensibilities alongside his tremendous vocal dexterity. The first track, “Taxi In the Rain,” was written by Moccio and Christy, along with Denise Rich (Celine Dion, Marc Anthony, Luis Fonsi, Diana Ross), and is a perfect introduction to Jay’s voice and his unparalleled ability to deliver nuanced emotions and powerful force in the span of three minutes.