He received his B. Mus in Composition from the University of Utah in 1995, where he studied composition with Dr. Henry Wolking, and Dr. Steve Roens. He received his M Mus in choral conducting in 1997, studying under Dr. John M. Cooksey.
Jay has worked as an orchestral arranger, and has taught music in grades K-12 and College.
Jay's church music has been described as practical, well-crafted, and elegant. He works using old tried and true methods, producing neo-traditional music that is both acceptable for worship services and interesting to the seasoned musician. His primary choral influences are R. Vaughan Williams, Bela Bartok, J.S. Bach, and Orlando di Lasso.
The composer currently lives in Woodbridge, VA with his wife Jolynn, daughter Emily, and son Ivan. He is currently in a field other than music, but enjoys purely amateur involvement with the music community nevertheless. He is Ward Choir director for the LDS Woodbridge Ward, and feels blessed to have the best calling in the church.