Tony Connaway is a versatile bassist, composer, and music educator based in Connecticut. A proud member of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra’s double bass section since 1998, he also thrives on creative exploration through side projects. Since 2016, he has recorded and performed with Ian Ethan Case’s Photon Symphony, and he channels much of his artistic energy into Spacey Bass Music, his own home studio recording projects. Layering four- and five-string acoustic and electric basses, he creates rich, textured compositions that highlight the instrument’s full range of sounds and techniques. In 2022, he released his first album, Omnistra, and is currently composing and recording his second album.

Beyond performing and composing, Tony is a dedicated music educator, teaching elementary instrumental music in Glastonbury, CT, as part of an award-winning music program. Glastonbury has been recognized as one of the Best Communities for Music Education from 2013 through 2024, a distinction that reflects the town’s strong commitment to arts education. In 2013, Tony was honored as Glastonbury Public Schools’ Teacher of the Year.

One of the greatest gifts of Tony’s career with the Hartford Symphony has been meeting his wife, Yun-Yang Lin, a cellist, while on tour with the orchestra and Andrea Bocelli. Together, they make their home in Glastonbury, where they manage private teaching studios and e-commerce ventures. When not immersed in music, they enjoy exploring the U.S. in their modified camper van or traveling abroad to visit family, reconnect with friends, and embark on new adventures.