Background
Zachary Sweet is a registered teacher trainer with the Suzuki Association of the Americas. He is currently an instructor of cello at Nazareth College, Binghamton University and on the faculties of Ithaca Talent Education and Music Together of Ithaca. Nationally, he is in demand as a clinician, having led workshops, master classes and institutes across the United States and Canada.
He performs extensively throughout the Tri-State area as a soloist, chamber musician and orchestral player. Sweet performs regularly with Cayuga Chamber Orchestra, the Society for New Music and with the Nazareth Piano Trio.
He completed a master's degree in performance and literature at the Eastman School of Music in 2006; at that time, he was also a fellow at the Aspen Music Festival. During his studies at Eastman, he became a member of the Eastman Chamber Society, acted as principal of Eastman Philharmonia, Eastman Chamber Orchestra and Eastman Opera Orchestra, and studied chamber music with the Ying Quartet, Elinore Freer, Jean Barr, Richard Kilmer and Kenneth Grant. His principal instructors have been Alan Harris, Kathy Kemp and Carol Vizzini.
As an educator, Sweet has spent the past 17 years exploring music development in young children. In 2009, he completed a long-term training program in talent education at the School for Strings with Pamela Devenport. Since then he has continued training with Tanya Carey, Carey Cheney, Sally Gross, Carey Beth Hockett and Rick Mooney.
In addition, Sweet is in demand as a Music Together instructor, leading classes for mixed ages, babies, big kids and preschools. In January 2015, he was awarded Music Together Certification Level II status, having demonstrated outstanding achievement in teaching, musicianship, program philosophy and parent education.
Education
- MA, Eastman School of Music
Research Interests
- Cello
- Music development
