BIO

Troy David Ramos is an interdisciplinary artist based in metro Detroit, Michigan, working in video installation, film, painting, and sound art. He holds an MA in Music Composition from the University of York in England (2008) and began his artistic career in 2010. His work has been exhibited and commissioned by the Ann Arbor Film Festival, ArtMile Detroit, ArtPrize, MCACA, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo, and others.

EDUCATION

2008 MA in Music Composition, University of York, York, England
2004 BA in German, Music Composition, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan

TROY DAVID RAMOS

Filmmaker · Screenwriter · Actor · Composer · Video Artist
Detroit, MI spaceswithlight@gmail.com | spaceswithlight.com

NARRATIVE FILM (SELECTED)

The Listener
Narrative short film — Completed; festival submissions (2026)
Writer · Director · Composer

Before the Light Moves
Narrative short film — Completed; festival submissions (2025–2026)
Writer · Director · Lead Actor · Composer

Hearing Voices
Narrative short film — Completed; festival submissions (2025–2026)
Writer · Director · Lead Actor · Composer

INTERDISCIPLINARY FILM, VIDEO & SOUND (SELECTED)

Avenge Me
Three-channel video & sound installation — Hatch Art Gallery, Detroit (2025)

Moonlight and Love Songs
Video & sound installation — NOVA Photo & Film Festival, Detroit (2024)

Cycles of Change
Video & sound installation — NOVA Photo & Film Festival, Detroit (2024)

Moving in Shorter Thoughts
Video & sound installation — Ann Arbor Film Festival (2022); ArtPrize (2021)

Shaping Sound
Video & sound work — Annex Gallery, Detroit (2026)

Blue Dream Between
Video & sound installation — Voyeur Bordello Gallery, Detroit (2026)

FESTIVALS & PRESENTATIONS (SELECTED)

Ann Arbor Film Festival
NOVA Photo & Film Festival
ArtPrize (multiple years, public & indoor venues)
Art Mile Detroit

ACTING (SELECTED)

Before the Light Moves — Lead / Writer / Director
AirBnBaal — Lead (Short Film)
Pandora — Supporting (Short Film)
eyond Detroit — Supporting (Commercial)
Directions Credit Union — Supporting (Commercial)

Representation: Wink Talent Agency

TRAINING (ACTING)
Michigan Actors Studio
Acting Core (3x)
Performance Lab (Theatre) — includes four public stage performances (Grape Nerds Reunion)
Introduction to Acting
Introduction to Film Acting

Goteri Creative Arts
Acting for Film I
Acting for Film II

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS & INSTALLATIONS

2025 — Don’t Talk Don’t Say Anything Let Me Look at You, Video/Sound Installation, Hatch Art Gallery (Hamtramck, MI)
2024 — Cycles of Change, Video/Sound Installation, NOVA Film Festival (Detroit, MI)
2023 — Moving in Shorter Thoughts, Off the Screen Program, Ann Arbor Film Festival
2022 — Abandoned, Sculpture & Sound Installation, Gillett Bridge, Grand Rapids (ArtPrize Featured Project)
2022 — Amid a Crowd of Stars, Neon Light Public Art Installation, Battle Creek, MI (MCACA Grant)
2020 — Passing Time, Video Installation, Art Mile Detroit (city-wide exhibition)
2018 — Sound Space, Sound & Light Installation, ArtPrize (Fifth Third Center, Grand Rapids)

(Additional painting, photography, and group exhibitions omitted here for focus, but available upon request.)

AWARDS & GRANTS (SELECTED)

Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs (MCACA) — Project Grants (2020, 2022)
ArtPrize — Featured Public Project Grant (2022); Equity Grant (2021)
W.K. Kellogg Foundation — Arts Grant
Ann Arbor Film Festival — Artist Honorarium
Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo — Grant Support
Battle Creek Community Foundation — Grant Support

EDUCATION

MA, Music Composition — University of York, England
BA, Music Composition & German Language — Western Michigan University