Teacher Zachary Olea is a welcomed addition to our teaching team! Zachary is extremely versatile with his playing and teaching styles. He encourages classical fundamentals with the belief that all the best musicians, no matter the genre, have strong technical and classical upbringings. In 2017, he completed his Bachelor of Arts, Music Studies with emphasis in Western Art Music from University of California, Santa Barbara.

Zachary started playing the violin at age 4 and has been an avid player since. He completed all 10 levels of the MTAC Certificate of Merit program with honors on multple levels. Other achievements include 3rd prize at Pasadena City College’s Music Scholarship and was awarded the UCSB music department Excellence-at-Entrance Scholarship. He has participated in numerous orchestras including the Pasadena City College Orchestra (2nd chair) and the UCSB Orchestra (2nd Chair). 

Zachary enjoys recording and mixing professionally and for colleagues. He is also able to incorporate composition and recording for his students. This is fun for those students who want to learn a song that may not be written for violin and for those that may want a recording to create harmonies with their practice or performance! He really enjoys film score music. Some of his favorite composers are Joe Hisaishi and Michael Giacchino. His favorite minimalist composers are Philip Glass and Max Richter. 

Zachary has teaching experience in group settings at festivals and has taught ages from 5 to adults. Some advice for his students:

Whether practicing scales, exudes, or a new piece, always practice everything with a beautiful sound, the practicing will become less of a chord and more fun for anyone listening.