Biography
Jeffery Zook is a celebrated flutist praised for his “resonant flute tone and suave phrasing” (Detroit Free Press). With a career spanning more than three decades, he has earned recognition on international stages as a soloist, orchestral player, chamber musician, and educator. He recently retired from the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, where he served as flutist and piccoloist since 1992.
A passionate educator, Jeffery has been on the faculty at Oakland University for 17 years. He is co-founder of the CanAmerican Flute Symposium and Flute Competition, now in its fifth year, presented in collaboration with Canadian flutist Susan Hoeppner. His teaching credentials also include appointments at the University of Michigan, Western Michigan University, and Bowling Green State University. He has chaired the National Flute Association’s Piccolo Committee and served as President of the Southeast Michigan Flute Association.
Jeffery holds degrees from the University of Michigan and the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he was awarded the prestigious Recitalists’ Diploma. His principal teachers include William Bennett, Trevor Wye, Judith Bentley, Jacqueline Hofto, and former DSO piccoloist Clement Barone.
He made his solo debut with the DSO while still in high school, performing Mozart’s Concerto in C for Flute and Harp with harpist Yolanda Kondonassis. He later appeared under Maestro Neeme Järvi in Vivaldi’s Concerto for Piccolo, and in 2017 was featured at the National Flute Association’s Gala Concert in Minneapolis, performing Hovland’s Concerto for Piccolo and Orchestra—a signature performance of his career.
An avid chamber musician, Jeffery co-founded Concerts in the Barn at Applewood with DSO colleagues Caroline Coade and Kerstin Allvin. Their trio toured Morocco in 2002 in a nationally televised concert series.
Photo Credit: Paulo Maximiano Barreto Júnior
His discography includes numerous solo recordings with Music Minus One, featured appearances on Motown revival projects, and the popular holiday album Comfort and Joy! with harpist Kerstin Allvin. He and flutist Sharon Sparrow created Telemann for Two Flutes (Theodore Presser publisher), which the National Flute Association’s Newly Published Music Award in 2023. He is also featured on multiple Detroit Symphony Orchestra recordings under conductors Neeme Järvi and Leonard Slatkin, and can be seen on DSO Replay at dso.org/replay.
Jeffery resides in Pleasant Ridge, Michigan, with his husband, David Assemany, and their miniature pinscher, Dexter. Together, they have transformed their home into The Cambridge Conservatory—a creative hub for recitals, masterclasses, musical dinners, and community gatherings.
Jeffery Zook currently plays on a 9K Muramatsu 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
Youngstown State University - Dana School
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