Gary Hodges began his percussion studies with Henry Gates in the Hicksville, New York public school system. After graduating high school, Mr. Hodges received a Bachelor of Music from SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music, where he studied percussion with Jim Petercsak. Upon completing his bachelor’s degree, Mr. Hodges received a graduate assistantship at Syracuse University where he received his master's degree in music education with a percussion performance emphasis, and completed the coursework towards a doctorate in music education. At Syracuse University, Mr. Hodges studied percussion with Ernest Múzquiz of the Syracuse Symphony.
After his formal education, Mr. Hodges taught for 30 years at Ward Melville High School where he was the director of the wind ensemble, marching band, jazz bands, and percussion ensemble. In the summers, Mr. Hodges was Director of Orchestras at the Usdan Center for the Creative and Performing Arts, a music, arts, dance, and theater summer program, for 15 years. On two occasions, Mr. Hodges conducted an Usdan Center Alumni orchestra at Carnegie Hall. His mentors in orchestral conducting were Dale Lewis, the Executive Director of the Usdan Center, and Charles Gouse, with whom Mr. Hodges studied conducting for two years. Mr. Hodges also conducted the Eroica Youth Symphony for 10 years in Suffolk County.
Mr. Hodges has taught percussion in his private studio for many years. His former students include Robert Slack, Principal Percussionist of the Pacific Symphony, Joseph Pereira, Principal Timpanist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and Matthew Strauss of the Houston Symphony. Mr. Hodges also was the private teacher of Ethan Geller and Haley Rudolph. Mr. Hodges has numerous former students studying percussion at various conservatories and universities.
Mr. Hodges teaches percussion in his home studio and conducts workshops on percussion performance, percussion education, and orchestral and band conducting.
