Master Class Information & Photos

Our Master Class History and Photos

The first five-day Gary Schocker Master Class was held Wednesday, July 10 through Sunday, July 14, 2002  in West Park, New York. Since then, we have added more classes. In 2003, we held two classes. In 2004, 2005, and 2006, we held three classes each year. In 2007, there were two classes, but each was six days instead of 5. In 2008, we'll have the 3-day retreat in February, and two six-day summer classes. 

Each Gary Schocker Master Class is several days of flutes and fun. Our master teacher uses an incredible positive teaching technique to bring out the best in all of us. Along with Mr. Schocker's daily traditional master classes, we have yoga and meditation sessions, ensemble playing, and an ice cream party with several subsequent late-night raids on the freezer! Evening sessions include time for playing duets with Mr. Schocker, as well as reading through his latest music with him accompanying at the piano. 

Bill Connington, Alexander Technique teacher, has been with us since 2003. He is one of the most highly regarded Alexander teachers in the world, and has helped us all with flute playing as well as more comfortable movement in all activities. Our yoga teacher, Brenda Hicks, is highly trained in Kripalu yoga, "the yoga of compassion." She has helped our students from beginner to advance enjoy yoga. 

Participants are of varying ages and playing levels, including professionals and teachers, college and high school students (sometimes younger for very motivated young players), and adults returning to playing. Comments from students include:

"Great, comfortable and supportive atmosphere, non-competitive!"
"A beautiful, relaxing environment!"
"I liked that it was a lot about the body and mind, and 
how every individual could play their best."
"Mr. Schocker was very friendly and accessible which was great. 
I enjoyed his supportive teaching style."













Our first class summer master class ever, June 2002 Participants pose after the final concert. Front row, left to right: Julie Martyn-Baker, Nicole Rabata, Kristen Komisky, Gary Schocker. Middle row, left to right: Whitney Perrine, Hannah Perry, Eva Ryan, Lauren Gallo. Back row, left to right: Cindy McCormick, Martha Grener, Junia d'affonseca and Katherine DiPierro Isles
The location of the class was wonderful, and we all enjoyed the beautiful Hudson River views.

 
In 2003, we planned one class and ended up adding a second to accommodate our many applicants.

June 2003 Master Class Front row: left to right, Julie Martyn-Baker, Gary Schocker, Meredith Williams, Susan Leslie
Second row, seated, left to right: Laura Fletcher, Heidi Kim, Michelle Koolian, Minta White, Christina Klapper. Back row, standing: Jerry Bacchetti, Sandy Lunte, Randall Otis, Jenny Pyne, Johanna Borenstein, Laura Wilkins, Geri Rizzo, Cindy McCormick
We love the long walk up the hill from the river!
And skipping stones by the river...
What's a marshmallow roast without a big fire?

 

Meredith Williams with 
our yoga instructor, Brenda Hicks.

 

 Susan Leslie watches as Mr. Schocker plays 
the flute and piano simultaneously. We love when he does that!

 

July 2003 Class Front: Sally the Monastery Dog. Front row, left to right: Katie Harris, Arlene Keiser, Gary Schocker (always on the ball!) Julie Martyn-Baker, Miranda Delahoy, Stephanie Crew, Barbara Russ Smith. Back row, left to right: Lynnette Benner, Katy Dorrien, Brian Bensing, Nina Mozes, Marina Todeasa, Beth Shirk.

In 2004, we held three classes. The first was in June. Front row: Sara Smith. Second row: Rachel Maclary, Augusta Bargeron, Andrea Reinhardt, Donald Bohanon-Williams, Third row: Lisa McArthur (standing), Susan Leslie, LuAnn Stoskopf, RuthAnn Bartlett, Jennifer Ferrell, Julie Martyn-Baker, Gary Schocker. Back row: Diane Beckman, Cristina Munk, Erin Shulan, Allie Hamilton, Lindsey McMahon, Evan Schaffer.

 
   
There were two classes in July 2004. This is the July 7-11, 2004 class. Left to right: Kelsey Bauer, Beth Zeyher, Miranda Delahoy, Tommie Lynn Mulderig, Jake Fridkis, Melissa Johnson, Julie Martyn-Baker, Gary Schocker, Beth Shirk, Michelle Koolian, Katie Barbato, Alan Berquist, Lois Price, Maria Johnson, Lori Huberman.
   
Hannah commissioned Mr. Schocker to write a piece for her, which ended up being called "Hannah's Glade." She made this beautiful embroidered jacket with her piece on it.
This is the July 28-Aug. 1, 2004 class. Front row: Brittany Summersgill, Rachel Darling. Second row, seated: Joanne Lazzarro, Kaitlyn Brennan, Minta White, Lisa Duke, Lauren McClure, Julie Martyn-Baker, and Gary Schocker. Back row, left to right: Kathryn Falato, Anne Palmer, Hannah Money, Jennifer Elliott, Laura Wilkins, Jennifer Palmer, Kent Morest, June McDonald, Taylor Strand.
This was the first of the three 2005 classes, June 22-26. Front row: Julie Martyn-Baker, Gary Schocker. Second row, all standing: Colleen Kenny-Kuk, Mary Norris, RuthAnn Bartlett, Lisa McArthur, Jason Goodbrake, Sara Mesko, Silvia Innamorato, Andrea Kwapien, Robin Asay, Emily Wilson, Taylor Watkins, Carolyn Topliff. Back row (in windows) Lori Huberman, Kati Salmons, Jan Alba, Kathryn Falato.  
The July 6-10, 2005 class: Front row: (Standing) Yen-Keung Lee. (Seated) Jacqueline Arrington, Jennifer Ferrell, Angela Valis, Honi Bergman, Elizabeth Campbell (Standing). Second row: Rachel Taylor, James Rees, Lynnette Benner, Kylie Collins, Carolyn Sierichs, Meg Kling, Silvia Innamorata, Christine Hurley. Back row: Courtney Martin, Cecilia Frey, Gary Schocker, Julie Martyn-Baker, Dondi Ellis.
The July 20-24, 2005 class. Front row: Julie Martyn-Baker, Gary Schocker, Andrea Reinhardt, Dana Leonard, Michelle Koolia. Second row: Cheryl Sorrels, Mary Oosterbaan, Ann Forbes, Lisa Melick. Nola Aldrich, Martha Brundage, Jake Fridkis, Heidi Schuller, Mike McCoy, Nadia Banna. Back row: Alyssa Schwartz, Nicole Zenns, Maria Johnson, Susan Leslie.
Outdoor shots of the same class.
We love the river views!
Flute yoga!
The monastery gardens.
In 2006, we had three classes. This is the June class, with our favorite teacher about to soak our flutes (please know we're kidding!). Front, with garden hose: Gary Schocker. Seated:  Erica Pritchard, Melissa Johson, Kristopher Pourzal, Dana Miraglia, Rashmi Trivedi, Susan Leslie. Second row: Julie Martyn-Baker, Laura Vines, Molly Smith, RuthAnn Bartlett, Margaret Brinkerhoff, Catherine Jones, Elizabeth Jones, Lisa McArthur, Dominique Thoemmes, Martha Brundage, Colleen Kenny-Kuk. Back row, with flute in the air: Vincent Bache.
This is the July 12-16, 2006 class. Front row: Laura Kellogg, Dana Joras,  Kimberly O'Hare. Middle row: Yuriko Kato, Dana Leonard, Liz Levin, Etryesse Dunn, Erin Munnelly, Chia-Jui He (Doris), Richard Peng. Back row: Marisa Trees, Jake Fridkis, John Yi, Roldon Brown, Gary Schocker, Julie Martyn-Baker, Miyuki Urin, Li-Sheng Liang (Lance).
Our final class of 2006, July 19-23. Front: Julie Martyn-Baker, Gary Schocker. Middle row: Tim Woos, Lucille Snell, Jennifer Day, Nicole Zenns, Kathryn Falato, Kaori Bato, Nadia Banna, Katherine Vogel. Back row: Nancy Westin-Hill, Roldon Brown, Avril Claytor, Colleen White, Jane Hoffman, Lindsay Waite, Joyce Shin, Jennifer LaRue.
The June 19-24, 2007 class. Front, kneeling, left to right: Nadia Banna, Roldon Brown, Grace Lim, Jessica Morgan, Emma Huelskamp, Robin Asay, Dana Leonard, Katherine Klymko, Lana Stafford, Michael Bowyer. Back row, standing: Gary Schocker, Julie Martyn-Baker, Carolyn Topliff, Natalie Spotts, RuthAnn Bartlett, Lisa McArthur, Daniel Dorff, Carol Brecker, Jeff Nichols, Susan Leslie, Br. Vincent Bache, Jason Gilbert, Pam Broene.
The July 10-15, 2007 class: Kneeling, front row, left to right: Andy Hu, Forrest Ransburg, Olivia Dalls, Emily Nelson, Laura Sastic, Tamara Kagy, Marisa Trees, Rose Marie Strecker. Middle row, standing, left to right: Julie Martyn-Baker, Gary Schocker, Moriah Ramos, Kylie Collins, Melissa Guadalupe, Laura Cocks, John Yi, Camille Delaney, Miyuki Urin, Ai Ota, Kathi Byam, Beverly Webb. Back row, standing: Natalie Burns, Laura Kellogg, Eric Bowling, Jake Fridkis, Daniel Dorff, Niccole Modele.

 

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Need more information? Please contact Mr. Schocker's assistant, Julie Martyn-Baker. 
Julie is happy to answer all inquiries, and forward messages as needed.

© 2001-2007 Gary Schocker and Julie Martyn-Baker. All rights reserved. 
Portions of text may be excerpted for use in reviews and other editorial materials.

Last updated September 16, 2007

For more flute-related information, visit the Larry Krantz flute web site