Biography
Described as having a “resonant flute tone and suave phrasing” by the Detroit Free Press, Jeffery Zook is a globally renowned flutist, educator and orchestral musician. A member of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra flute section since 1992, Mr. Zook holds degrees from the University of Michigan, the Royal Northern College of Music and the Royal Academy of Music in London where he received the coveted Recitalists’ Diploma. His teachers have included William Bennett, Trevor Wye, Judith Bentley, Jacqueline Hofto and former DSO piccoloist Clement Barone.
As a soloist, Jeffery Zook made his debut in 1982 with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra as a senior in high school, performing Mozart’s Concerto in C for Flute and Harp with harpist Yolanda Kondonassis at Ford Auditorium. He later appeared with the Detroit Symphony as an orchestra member performing the Vivaldi Piccolo Concerto under Maestro Neeme Järvi. Additional highlights include performing as a featured soloist at the 2017 National Flute Association convention in Minneapolis. Mr. Zook has won top prizes in the National Flute Association Young Artists Competition, the William Byrd National Concerto Competition in Flint, Michigan and has been awarded a grant from the National Endowment for the Advancement of the Arts.
Photo Credit: Paulo Maximiano Barreto Júnior
As an internationally seasoned chamber musician, Jeffery Zook co-hosted a chamber music festival titled “Concerts in the Barn at Applewood” along with DSO violist Caroline Coade and harpist Kerstin Allvin at his Ontario farm home in Dyer’s Bay. Mr. Zook frequently traveled and performed with this trio with a highlight including a 2002 tour throughout Morocco and a feature on the nation’s television network.
As a recording artist, Jeffery Zook has several solo recordings with Music Minus One label. He is a featured soloist on several revival Motown recordings produced in the past decade. Mr. Zook’s discography features a 2002 duo album titled Comfort and Joy! A Musical Celebration of Holiday Music for Flute and Harp with harpist Kerstin Allvin, available for purchase online. Jeffrey Zook has published many sheet music editions and arrangements from piccolo to flute choir including Telemann for Two Flutes with DSO flutist Sharon Sparrow.
Highly in demand as a teacher, Mr. Zook is the DSO Applied Faculty of Flute at Oakland University. Past teaching appointments have included Visiting Professor of Flute at Western Michigan University and Professor of Flute at the University of Michigan. He has served as the chairman of the National Flute Association Piccolo Committee and the past president of the Southeast Michigan Flute Association.
Mr. Zook resides in Michigan with his husband David Assemany and miniature pinscher Dexter. They have named their renovated Dutch Colonial home “The Cambridge Conservatory,” a venue which hosts recitals, workshops, musical feasts and fundraisers.
Jeffery Zook currently plays on a 14K Gold Wm. S. Haynes Co. flute and a Burkart Piccolo.
Teaching and Residencies
Michigan Technological University
Michigan State University
Peabody Conservatory of Music
Western Washington University
University of Michigan
Central Michigan University
Western Michigan University
Spring Arbor University
Schoolcraft College
Marygrove College
Wayne State University
Adrian College
Alma College
Saginaw Valley State University
University of Toledo
Bowling Green State University
University of Akron
Ohio State University
Grand Valley State University
Rose Hulman Institute
Ball State University
Harper College
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
University of Iowa
University of Oklahoma
University of Texas Austin
University of New Orleans
Frost School of Music – University of Miami
Florida Atlantic University
Palm Beach Atlantic University
Florida International University
Jackson Community College
Western Washington University
Youngstown State University
Boston Conservatory of Music
Boston University
Glenn Gould School of Music
University of Windsor
Banff Centre
Interlochen Center for the Arts
University of North Carolina – Cullowhee
Flint Institute of Music
Acclaim
“…the almost non-stop figurations taxed neither Zook’s fingers nor his control and,his tone easily filled Whiting Auditorium…an experienced performer…”
— Flint Journal, On his performance of the Rodrigo Concierto Pastorale with the Flint Symphony Orchestra
“…an impressive performance of Jolivet’s Flute Concerto by Jeffery Zook…He played with consistently fine musicianship, admirable phrasing and an assured technique which brought out the subtleties of this lyrical work…”
— Manchester Guardian
“…Zook’s resonant flute tone and suave phrasing melt lovingly inside Allvin’s clearly articulated harp…. The overall mood of this CD is relaxed and peaceful, and it’s to the duo’s credit that the music reduces holiday stress without inducing a somnolent stupor.”
— Mark Stryker, The Detroit Free Press
Photo Credit: Paulo Maximiano Barreto Júnior
Photo credit: Paulo Maximiano Barreto Júnior
“Vivaldi’s puckish C Major Piccolo Concerto, No. 5 jump-started the party, with the DSO’s own Jeffery Zook as soloist. Employing a deep-chested, seductive tone that suggested a mezzo-soprano rather than a true soprano voice, Zook dispatched the scampering passagework with happy-go-lucky flair. The lyrical melodies were played with natural beauty. Jarvi added extra rhythmic zest and punch to the accompaniment by having his small string orchestra play some passages pizzicato rather than arco.”
— Mark Stryker, The Detroit Free Press
I am just writing today in appreciation for your working with me on today’s lesson at Western Michigan University. I deeply enjoyed your teaching style and feel that I gained a significant amount in our lesson. Thank you for all of your work, patience, and focus.
— Jory King, Student, Western Michigan University, School of Music, Lee Honor’s College