Born at an early age in Tokyo, Gary wanted to be Ringo Starr when he grew up. That didn’t come to pass (being Ringo or growing up), so he became an elementary music teacher. His work day consisted of teaching young children to play “Mary Had a Little Lamb” on all manner of band and orchestra instruments. It usually sounded as if the poor lamb was being killed.  After attending CSU Fullerton and CSU San Bernardino (BA, MA, Dr. Pepper, Magna Too Loud), Gary’s teaching style developed into a combination of Mr. Holland and Mr. Kotter. Outside of school, Gary has composed radio jingles (San Bernardino old-timers may remember “LJ Snow the Ford Man”) and performs with the Taiko Center of Los Angeles playing Japanese taiko drums, touring Japan and performing throughout the US. He can be heard playing on the movie soundtrack of “Battleship”, Rob Thomas’ (Matchbox 20, Santana) hit single “Her Diamonds”, and video game soundtracks like “Jade Empire” and John Woo’s “Stranglehold.” Way back in the 1980’s, Gary also played drums and keyboards in “Cops In Concert”, a Blues Brothers tribute band and Good Question, a jazz quartet.