Gary began his musical career aged fifteen at Chethams School of Music under the tutelage of Kevin Price and went on to study at the University of Leeds. A student placement in 1998 with Opera North led to further work with The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra aged just eighteen.

Following his undergraduate studies, Gary went on to do a Postgraduate Diploma in Performance at the Royal College of Music and gained a number of prestigious awards including; the Countess of Munster Musical Scholarship, the 42 Foundation, the Philip Shelbourne Prize for Brass and an RCM Scholarship. Student Placements with the London Symphony, Royal Philharmonic and the BBC Symphony Orchestras followed with Gary holding Principal seats in the National Musicians Symphony Orchestra and the London Philharmonic Youth Orchestra.

A move to Norway a month after graduating in 2001, led to an appointment at Molde Culture School as Low Brass Specialist. Over the next four years Gary worked as both a Conductor and Performer with Romsdals Orchestra, Molde Brass Band and Kristiansund Opera Company. In 2004 he won the Soloist Prize at the Grenland International Brass Festival.

On returning to the UK, he was awarded an International Scholarship to study for a Masters Degree at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama graduating with Distinction in 2007. During his time in Glasgow, Gary performed with the Hebrides Ensemble, Thistle Brass, Kingdom Brass Band, and with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra in a performance of Larssons Concerto for Trombone and Strings.

Since moving back to the North of England, Gary works as a freelance Trombone Player, Brass Teacher and Conductor. He performs regularly with the BBC Philharmonic, Hallé Orchestra, Liverpool Philharmonic and Pimlico Opera Company. Recent achievements include winning the Don Lusher Memorial Prize for the Best Trombone Player at the 2008 Brass in Concert Championships, awarded by Ian Bousfield .

2009 has been a busy year for Gary, in April Gary was appointed the Principal Trombone seat with the Grimethorpe Colliery Band, fulfilling a childhood dream and he was invited to play at the National Brass Band Championships in New Zealand at the invitation of Woolston Brass, further trips to Norway and Italy have made this a bumper year.