Gary earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry from the University of Southern California and Doctor of Dental Medicine from Washington University in St. Louis, and served as a commissioned corps officer in the U.S. Public Health Service, seeing active duty with both the National Health Service Corps and the Indian Health Service.

As a 1970 graduate of Alhambra High School, Gary was assistant concertmaster of the school’s award-winning orchestra. He served as Violin Department Quality Assurance Manager at Johnny Thompson Music for 17 years, and as Store Manager of Arcadia Music for 6 years. As a dedicated community advocate, he helped restore the orchestra program to the Alhambra Unified School District in 1990. 

Gary has extensive experience in matching talented students with qualified instructors and appropriate performing organizations, having served as Director of Recruitment for the California Youth Theater Symphony Orchestra at Paramount Studios in Hollywood. His activities as a passionate community liaison enable him to build enduring relationships with enlightened community leaders supportive of the arts. Gary has been privileged to serve on the Saturday Conservatory of Music Board for more than 30 years.