John Gockel is an accomplished and experienced cellist and teacher. He is a Charter instructor of the Sharyn Byer Institute of Fine Arts and thoroughly enjoys the challenges and rewards of teaching.
Mr. Gockel earned his Bachelor of Music degree from Oberlin College, where he studied under the New Hungarian Quartet. He also received intensive ensemble training at the Taos School of Music. After 30 years of service, Mr. Gockel retired from The US Army Band’s Orchestra and Strolling Strings.

As a military musician in the DC area, He also performed regularly in strings quartets, small ensembles and often as soloist. The group performed for the White House, Congress, Justice and State Departments, for leaders and VIP’s, public and private events locally and around the nation.

As a free-lance musician, he has performed in and contracted ensembles and orchestras throughout his musical career. Prior to and outside his service in the Army, he was in the Florida Symphony, the Jacksonville Symphony, the Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra, the Brockport (NY) Symphony, The Savannah Symphony, The American Chamber Orchestra, and the National Christian Choir’s orchestra which he also contracted and managed for more than 25 years.