J. Clay Gonzalez is a sound artist, composer and music director based in Southeast Michigan. He founded and leads Regenerate!, a community-engagement project that reimagines the orchestra as a space of play, shared joy, and meaningful connection. His immersions have been presented by the University Musical Society, The Third Place [MUSICFEST], and Strange Beautiful Music (New Music Detroit,) and has been commissioned by Girlnoise, Virago, and cellist Wesley Hornpetrie. He attended the University of Michigan for both Undergraduate and Masters degrees, studying composition. Alongside composing, he is an experienced educator and music copyist.