Gary Schocker is a flutist, pianist, harpist, composer, and teacher. Raised in Easton, Pennsylvania, he began piano as a child and flute at ten. By fifteen he had appeared as soloist with the Philadelphia Orchestra and New York Philharmonic. He studied at Juilliard and won the 1985 Young Concert Artists International Auditions. His compositions include instrumental works and the musicals Far From the Madding Crowd and The Awakening.