About John Gass

I’ve been playing Native American Style Flute (NASF) for over 20 years. I love this instrument, and I love sharing it with others. I perform, teach, collaborate, and facilitate. But there’s more to me than that short description.

I’m in the third phase of my adult life. I’ve had two careers; I spent 20 years in the US Army Special Forces and 20 years as a psychotherapist. In this phase of my life I have decided that my “retirement” is going to be focused on music. That decision led me to enter the 2025 National Veterans Creative Arts Contest, where I was awarded first place in the Instrumental Spiritual Category.

As you’ll see below, I have performed solo as well as in the duo Montana Spark, and with various bands in the area. I teach Native American Style flute to individuals and groups. I love collaborating which has led to me being invited to add NASF to music with different instruments and in different genres. I currently facilitate a monthly Flute Circle, and in the past have facilitated flute events that included flute circles and an annual flute gathering.

How did the flute come into my life? 

I was working in an intense mental health clinic in Tacoma, Washington.  I decided that I wanted something to help me start my day feeling “grounded” before engaging with all the emotions that would come through my door.  One of my colleagues suggested listening to Native American flute music.  So, I bought a couple of CDs and gave them a listen.  I really liked the music, and found it soothing, but it wasn’t enough.  I looked online, found a store about 3 hours south, in Portland, Oregon, that sold flutes and hopped in my car.  At the store I looked at the different flutes, found one that appealed to me, and took it over to the counter.  I was too intimidated to play an instrument I knew nothing about in public.  I handed the flute to the store owner and asked her to play it for me so I could hear if I wanted to buy it.  As soon as she played the first notes, I knew it was for me!  I bought the flute and a book that came with a DVD.  On the DVD I heard what turned out to be profound advice.  The flute maker said not to set out to learn any songs.  Instead, “take the time to learn what sounds your flute can make.  Learn to start playing the music that wants to come from you.  Then you can start learning some songs.”  I started playing early in the morning, before clients arrived, and eventually risked playing at lunch, knowing others might hear me (gulp!).  That was over 20 years ago, and my love affair with this instrument continues!

My “flute journey”

“Flute Journey” was a phrase I started hearing when I would talk with other flute players. I learned that it referred to both “where the flute may take you” and “where you may take the flute.” Below are some highlights of my ever-expanding flute journey.

Perform in various venues, including:

  • New England Folk Festival (NEFFA)
  • Town of Brookline “Sounds of Summer”
  • The Falls at Cordingly Dam, a Benchmark Assisted Living Facility
  • Loaves & Fishes (Non-Profit Annual Meeting)
  • Clear Path for Veterans N.E. (Christmas Gathering)
  • Local Porchfests (Melrose, Newton, Arlington, Winchester, West Concord)
  • WUMB Summer Acoustic Music Week
  • Various Open Mics in the Greater Boston area
  • Yoga classes

Teach Native American Style Flute

  • Regularly teach eight-week courses called “Introduction to Native American Style Flute.” Currently teaching as faculty at the Concord Conservatory of Music in Concord, MA. Other Massachusetts courses have been hosted by: Follow Your Arts, Melrose; Needham Community Education; and Clear Path for Veterans N.E., Devens.
  • Provide individual instruction and mentoring both in-person and online.
  • Lead monthly online sessions for the Horizons Plus Flute School. These “Compass” sessions focus on playing flutes in service to others.
  • Teach workshops on “How to Start, Facilitate and Grow a Flute Circle.” Upcoming workshop is at the World Flute Society Convention in Eu Claire, Wisconsin in August 2026. Workshops have also been offered at Solstice Flute Camp and Horizon Flute School.

Create and Facilitate Flute Circles and Flute Events, Including:

  • Monthly Flute Circle (“Natick Flute Circle”), Natick, MA (Currently)
  • Monthly Flute Circle (“Listening Tree Flute Circle”}, Olympia, WA
  • Monthly Flute Circle (“South Sound Flute Circle”), Olympia, WA
  • Annual gathering (“Combined Western Washington Combined Flute Circle”), Olympia, WA

Regular Participant in National Native American Style Flute Festivals and Schools

  • Horizons Flute School Summit (Iowa)
  • Carlos Nakai and Flute Tree Foundation Retreat (Montana)
  • Woodland Heart Ancient Flute Alliance (Delaware, Virginia)
  • Solstice Flute School and Festival (Utah)
  • Pacific Northwest Flute Gathering (Vashon Island, Washington)
  • Flutestock (Oregon)
  • Flute Quest (Washington)
  • Flute Circles throughout East and West Coasts
  • Flute Harvest (California – upcoming) 

Studied with Renowned Native American Flute and Native American Style Flute Performers and Teachers

  • Johnny Lipford
  • Timothy JP Gomez
  • Mary Youngblood
  • Joseph L. Young
  • R. Carlos Nakai
  • Tommy Graven
  • Scott August
  • Arvil Bird
  • Cornell Kinderknecht
  • Gerri Littlejohn
  • Rona Yellow Robe
  • Kalani Das
  • Clint Goss
  • Suzanne Teng

Honored to play flutes made by master Native American and Native American Style Flute makers

  • Brent Haines (Woodsounds Flutes)
  • JP Gomez (Heartsong Flutes)
  • Pat Haran
  • Gary Kuhl
  • Coyote Oldman
  • John Norris
  • Quiet Bear
  • Michael Searching Bear
  • Richard Mazza
  • Geri Littlejohn
  • Hawk Littlejohn
  • Dan Selchow (Journey of Life Flutes)
  • Roger Bennet (Redbird Flutes)
  • Nash Tavewa (Flutes by Nash)
  • Brad Young (4 Winds Flutes)
  • Butch Hall
  • Tree of Life Designs (Ed Dougherty)
  • High Spirits Flutes

“I love that I can go anywhere, pull out a flute and play. In the playing I can express my feelings and at the same time be nourished by the sounds.”