Zachary Leo is an experienced passionate multi-instrumentalist, performer, songwriter and producer.
Zach studied songwriting at Berklee College of Music and majored in Contemporary Music Composition/ Performance at Columbia College. Although his main focus is guitar and drums/ percussion, Zach also plays bass guitar, keyboard, banjo and many other instruments. Prior to college Zach attended The Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Academy.
Before joining HOPE Center for the Arts as Band Director, Zach spent the better part of the last decade performing, producing and composing with several bands throughout the Pioneer Valley. He has toured throughout the United States. Zach is passionate about composing for small ensembles and assisting bands and artists with their songwriting and creative endeavors. He has experience in everything from Chiptune (electronic) to traditional folk (acoustic) musical genres.
Zach’s goal with every student is to bring his “Create first – Study after” teaching approach to the HOPE Center for the Arts. This approach aims to simultaneously develop and encourage a student’s “creative passion” while teaching the fundamental technical skills needed to express that passion through their instrument(s) of choice.
You can currently catch him playing shows around the Pioneer Valley area in the bands Grazer and Amateur Club as well as supporting other artists via his independent record label Sugar Free Records.