Karen KoehlerThere’s no simple label for Justin Rayna. He’s a musician, composer, producer, educator, and above all, a believer in using God-given gifts to serve others. From humble beginnings grounded in family tradition to a flourishing catalog that spans musical theater, instrumental anthologies, and Christian hip-hop, Rayna’s journey is as layered and dynamic as his sound.
Justin Rayna
Music was not always the obvious path. In fact, it took a broken curfew and a chance encounter at a community band rehearsal to spark the initial flame. “I got grounded and had to sit in on one of my mom’s band rehearsals. I didn’t even know how to read music,” Rayna recalls. But that moment, picking up a drumstick for the first time and mimicking the conductor’s gestures, was the genesis of everything. “That was my first exposure to it,” he says. “And that night just happened to be the night before band camp.”
From there, Rayna’s musical journey unfolded rapidly. Early exploration through percussion led to the piano, recording tape-deck demos on an out-of-tune player piano, and finally to the digital music labs in high school that opened the door to composition. By college, he was studying music theory and composition, but true to form, he took a path few others would dare. “Most students put together small ensembles for their senior concerts. I tried to produce an entire musical,” he says.
That musical would later evolve into Legend City, a passion project co-developed with his wife for over 10 years. “It’s about dreams and chasing those dreams, and the doors that God opens and closes,” he says. With fan-favorite songs like “It’s (Never) Just Ice Cream” already resonating on Spotify, Rayna is now developing a full cast recording featuring Broadway performers and local talent, with eventual plans to produce both stage and film versions. The current campaign, “Who would you cast?”, seeks community input and builds buzz as the project gains traction.
Legend City
But Rayna’s artistry doesn’t stop at musical theater. His music spans genre after genre: contemporary instrumental, big band swing, neoclassical, and Christian hip-hop. His five-volume instrumental anthology includes works like INTENSIFY and Brighten, each with its own sonic identity. “I love all the genres,” he says. “I also recognize that in order to reach people, you have to go where they are. And I’m called to make disciples of all nations.”
It’s a mindset reflected in his Christian hip-hop project Not Against Flesh & Blood, including the track “ALL OUT!,” which is receiving a remix release this July. “Some playlists rejected the original for sounding dated. So I worked with new producers, and this version feels stronger, sharper,” he says.
Another track, “Love Every… One.,” comes with a music video and carries a deeply inclusive message. These projects are not just musical experiments; they are ministry. “Probably the number one thing I want people to feel when they listen is conviction,” Rayna says. “To either change for the better or double down on the good they are already doing.”
His creative process is energized by diversity and contrast. “Some people say you have to niche down, master one thing. I think that’s a cop-out,” he explains. “Why not be a master of all?” His blend of inspirations creates something truly unique, something that can only be found through inventive fusion.
That commitment to authenticity is also why Rayna pours so much into others. Whether it’s collaborating with fellow artists, advising musical theater playwrights, or teaching young drummers how to hold their first pair of sticks, Rayna sees mentorship as a responsibility. “I know that any gifts I’ve been given aren’t for my own good, but for the benefit of others,” he says. “I had so many people who believed in me when I was just getting started. Now it’s my turn to do the same.”
One such early supporter was a recording studio mentor who took a chance on a young man selling $2 CDs at a dance studio. “He didn’t charge me, he just saw potential. Same with the dance studio owner herself, who used my music for dance routines. I would not be here without those people,” Rayna shares.
Rayna’s story is a reminder that inspiration often begins in the smallest acts, a borrowed drumstick, a friend’s invitation to band camp, or a stranger’s encouragement. “If I started where I did, getting grounded, and ended up here, imagine where the next kid could go,” he reflects.
Even as he continues pushing boundaries in his own work, Rayna remains deeply committed to nurturing the next wave of creatives. “I’m happy to be on my own trajectory while helping create the superstars of tomorrow,” he says.
For Rayna, music is not just a career; it’s a calling. And he’s answering it with conviction, compassion, and a beat that won’t quit.