Rachel "Ray" McFarlane is a Canadian composer working across concert music, film, television, and interactive media.She is known for her hybrid orchestral storytelling that blends classical rigor with bold experimentation. Named one of CBC's 30 Best Classical Musicians Under 30, she is also the 2025 Valedictorian for Berklee College of Music, where she made history as the first woman and person of color to graduate with the Screen Scoring Double Major in Film Scoring and Games & Interactive Media Scoring.

Rachel's career has accelerated rapidly since graduation. She is currently working at Riot Games, while continuing an ongoing partnership with Red Bull, for whom she has been a contracted composer since 2024 after her debut on the Sounds of Red Bull's Orchestral II album.

Recent Accomplishments

• Berklee Valedictorian: The Office of the Associate Vice President and Dean of Students is thrilled to announce that this year's Berklee College of Music's Valedictorian and Student Commencement Speaker is Rachel McFarlane.

• CBC "30 Best Classical Musicians Under 30: At just 22 years old, Rachel McFarlane was named one of CBC's 30 Best Classical Musicians Under 30, an extraordinary accomplishment that highlights her remarkable talent and rapid rise in the classical music world. This prestigious recognition cements her place as a trailblazer, proving she is carving a unique path in the industry.

• EA/Berklee Charting Change Scholarship: Rachel has been awarded this prestigious scholarship, a collaboration between the Screen Scoring Department at Berklee and EA Music, which recognizes her exceptional talent and support for women and non-cisgender individuals in the industry. This scholarship provides her with significant financial support and mentorship from an industry-leading team at Electronic Arts.

• Sphinx Symphony Orchestra: Rachel McFarlane has been declared Composer in Residence for the Sphinx Symphony Orchestra for 2026. Her residency will include collaborations with the orchestra, bringing her unique musical vision to life in upcoming performances.

• Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra (SPO): Rachel composes music for the SPO, contributing to its mission of empowering and developing the arts. Her work includes original scores for animated shorts in collaboration with Sheridan College and commissioned pieces for The Songs of Hope Project.

• Royal Conservatory’s Oscar Peterson Program: Rachel is currently composing for The Royal Conservatory’s Oscar Peterson Program, which promotes excellence in music education and performance. This prestigious program provides Rachel with an opportunity to create new and innovative works that continue the legacy of Oscar Peterson.

• Social Media and Sponsorships: Rachel is also an active music content creator, sponsored by prominent companies such as Orchestral Tools, Spitfire Audio, Eastwest Sounds, and Reelcrafter.

More information about Rachel can be found on her website.