At the time of his appointment, he cited the need for cultural leadership and an educated citizenry in the arts communities. To this end, the Dean established a lecture series on cultural leadership, inviting arts leaders such as Tanglewood director Ellen Highsmith and Chicago Symphony president Henry Vogel. To undergird these plans, he orchestrated a development program that has already more than doubled the school's endowment, and major facility renovations are now in the early planning stage. Blocker has worked to strengthen ties between the school and the music department, the Yale campus, the New Haven community and the corporate sector.
Blocker maintains an international career as a concert pianist.
Philharmonic, Beijing Symphony, Shanghai Philharmonic, and the Yale Concert Band. The Dean is one of the nation's leading spokespersons on the arts and their relation to the business community, and is also active in professional associations and the community. He serves as chair of the Board of Visitors for the South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities. He is past president and a member of the Board of Regents for the national music honor society, Pi Kappa Lambda, and serves on the advisory boards for several arts institutions such as the Avery Fisher Artist Program and the chamber music Society Prize Committee at Lincoln Center. Blocker holds a bachelor's degree from Furman University and Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from the University of North Texas.