Teaching
The Art of Learning – Understanding Gary Schocker’s Teaching Style
“Gary’s teaching style is co-creative,” says one former student, perfectly encapsulating his approach. His students are not passive receivers of information; they are active collaborators. “Learning with [him] is… about problem-solving and arriving somewhere new together. He doesn’t just tell you what to do. He patiently works through the process with you until you can confidently stand on your own.”
Gary enjoys getting to know each student and exploring new ways to make playing easier. And as a composer, he seeks more specific ways to bring music to life. These combined attributes uniquely position him to respond to students’ diverse challenges, unblocking inhibitions and increasing musical growth and enjoyment.
Whether the particular challenge might be performance anxiety or physical discomfort, Gary works alongside his students to find personalized solutions, building greater confidence in their abilities and freeing their individual voices along the way. His classroom is supportive, engaging, and motivating, which fosters autonomy.
In his words, “I do not want to just help you become an expert flutist. I want you to become a better musician, an innovative problem-solver, and a more confident and resilient player. Let’s learn together and discover all the joy there is to be found in music making.”
Lessons – Flute/Piano
- Gary teaches students at all levels.
- Lessons are given during most weeks in NYC.
- For those who are unable to travel to NYC or prefer virtual, ZOOM lessons are also available.
- The lessons are a way for each student to look closely at their whole-body technique and work on alternatives that can make playing simultaneously more musical and physically freer.
- You can request a lesson by clicking on the button below which will take you to the CONTACT GARY page where you can send him an email.
- Lesson rates are $200/hour or $100 for 30 minutes.
Testimonials
Melody Cheung, USA
Attending Gary Schocker's master class has been nothing short of transformative for my flute playing and personal growth. Since I started with Gary in 2019, and even through the Zoom lessons during COVID, he has completely reshaped my approach to music. Before meeting Gary, my sound was stiff and rigid. The more I tried to force my body to express the emotions of the music, the worse it became. I was riddled with tension, breathing incorrectly, and my sound was constricted.
What sets Gary apart from other instructors is his focus on the fundamental aspects of playing that many others overlook. Previous teachers I encountered were more concerned with technical details like rhythm and dynamics—things I could improve on my own with practice. On the other hand, Gary has an exceptional ability to identify and pinpoint the core issues that truly transform your playing. His deep knowledge and approach are invaluable and unique.
Gary’s master classes are refreshingly non-competitive. He fosters an environment where each of us can truly express our emotions through music and find joy in our own playing. Under his guidance, I’ve seen remarkable improvements. In just a short session with Gary, you can learn things that would take months to figure out on your own.
I have been incredibly touched by his generosity in sharing his wealth of knowledge so we can all enjoy our music making that much more. Whether you’re a serious flutist or someone who loves playing the flute and expressing music freely, I highly recommend Gary Schocker’s master class!
Margy McMullin - England
I discovered Gary on Youtube when trying to find help for my embouchure. I'd supported my lower lip with my tongue for years and was trying to wean myself off the habit but I was experiencing real problems with tremors. Gary's videos were very helpful and I realized he was the kind of teacher I'd been looking for for years; someone who knows a lot about the intricacies of how best to use the body when playing. So l plucked up the courage to book an hour-long lesson with him. I live in the UK so the lesson was done on Zoom which is brilliant because it made it easy to record the lesson. The lesson was exactly what I needed and I didn’t sleep so well that night because I was so excited and happy! His teaching will transform your playing and make playing so much easier. Tiny details like where to place your thumbs for instance and how that will not only give you much better finger facility but also instantly transform your tone. My embouchure stopped shaking within 5 minutes of our first lesson. Gary is not only a genius on how the body works but he also is incredibly insightful when it comes to the mental aspect of playing. I’ve come to understand myself a lot better through his lessons and that is priceless! He’s great fun too. My partner commented that I always come bouncing downstairs after my lessons and it’s true. I’m a teacher and my students benefit greatly from me having lessons from him. I really can’t recommend him enough!!
He will help you find ease in your playing.
Leslie Stroud - USA
Gary Schocker has been, without question, a profound influence on my playing and thinking about the flute, especially for the last 15 years or so-not only through listening to him play - which is always a remarkable and extremely moving experience - but through his teaching and insight into a continual process of learning, renewal, and reflection on what it means to play the flute, how to improve, and most importantly how to sing through the instrument with freedom and creativity. I have been going to his virtual master classes and live retreats now for many, many years, and there has not been one thing he has suggested to me that has not improved my playing. Sometimes the change is challenging, but it is always worth the work and re-evaluation - it always proves positive. Also, I admire that he is always trying new things himself, exploring new avenues in his own playing. He truly inspires by example. And, of course, it cannot go without comment, that his contributions to the flute community through his compositions, his videos, and his support of flutists of all playing levels are just enormous. He has so much to give and does just that with kindness, empathy, and total commitment. Thank you, Gary!
PU YU WU - Australia
I have been a fan of Gary and Gary’s music for a long time. I discovered and started to participate in Gary’s virtual master class as an auditor in November 2020, and with Gary’s teaching and everyone’s encouragement, I felt brave enough to start registering as a performer 6 months later and I haven’t stopped since. I also started having regular one-on-one virtual lessons with Gary in 2021. I have always loved playing the flute, but through the many years without any guidance in my adulthood, I built up tons of tension and bad habits, which made me quite frustrated about playing and not being able to achieve my aspirations. Just by observing Gary teaching other students during the first class I ever attended and trying some of his suggestions at home, I immediately sounded better from that first class and realized how valuable Gary’s teaching was. I remember someone close asking me what it is like to have lessons with Gary, I replied, “It’s like Gary has given me a pair of wings to fly, and I just need to learn how to use and control them.”
Viola Persia - USA
My first experience with Gary was at the 2018 NFA convention in Orlando. I audited one of his masterclasses and was amazed at how quickly he could diagnose a student's challenge and come up with a solution. Often his advice resulted in immediate improvement. My flute club has hired Gary for masterclasses, and we found him skillful and engaging. He approached each student with kindness and humor and was generous with his time and knowledge. More recently, I have had the pleasure of playing for Gary during the virtual master classes and I always learn something new. All in all, Gary Schocker is a marvelous musician, composer, and teacher.
Yukiko Sasayama - Japan
I have been attending Gary's virtual master classes since 2020. They are very informative, and anyone can get a detailed analysis of their current situation on the spot, receive generous advice, and experience positive changes immediately. Gary always works to make the current situation even better and is a wonderful teacher. I get a lot of useful advice not only for myself but also by listening to other students' lessons. When I teach my students, I try to apply what I have learned in classes, and the results are very effective. As a musician, educator, and person, Gary has been and will continue to be a mentor.
Josi Burri – USA
After earning a degree in flute performance, I was so burned out and had lost all joy in playing and stopped for 22 years. During the pandemic, I decided to start playing again and audited a few of Gary’s virtual master classes. After a couple of sessions as an auditor, I decided to challenge myself to perform and then attended the first live post-pandemic summer masterclass. Gary immediately diagnosed all my hang-ups, and since then has helped me to acknowledge, honor, and put them away... and best of all, to hear and enjoy music again.
