Like a lot of American boys in the 1970s, Gary started playing trumpet in grade school while growing up in Augusta, Kansas. By the time he got to high school, Gary realized that something was not quite right so he began playing the horn, winning a position with the Wichita Youth Symphony within a year. Gary attended Wichita State University, and eventually completed the degree Bachelor of Music at the University of Missouri Conservatory of Music. Upon completion of the degree Master of Music at Northwestern University as a student of Norman Schweikert of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Gary enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, and served in the Parris Island Marine Band, Parris Island, South Carolina for the duration of his tour of duty. Gary now makes his living as a social worker in children's mental health, and enjoys a busy free-lance career with the horn. Gary has performed with the Wichita Symphony, the St. Joseph, Missouri Symphony, the Beaufort Chamber Orchestra and the Hilton Head Orchesta in South Carolina. In addition to being a member of the Sacramento Symphonic Winds, he is also fourth horn in the Folsom-Lake Symphony Orchestra and co-principal horn in the Sierra Nevada Winds, and can be heard in the pit orchestra for the River City Theater Company's production of "Cats" in March.