Dr. Zachary Grim enjoys a multifaceted career in performance, teaching, and research. Featured as an “emerging genius” by the Pennsylvania Sinfonia Orchestra, Zachary’s performances have led him to collaborate with variety of venues and organizations such as the Newman Center for the Performing Arts, Society of the Cincinnati, Bethlehem Bach Choir, Walters Art Museum, Allentown Band, and guitar societies on both the east and west coasts. While Zachary brings his music to the concert hall, his mission as a 21st century musician to engage new audiences unfamiliar with the guitar’s vast repertoire has led him to listening rooms, clubs, music therapy centers, radio, and even living rooms to share these intimate programs.
An award-winning teacher, Zachary serves on the faculty at the McLean School. Additionally, he has maintained a studio of private students since 2009. His students have become fine musicians and many enjoy performing careers of their own. Dr. Grim’s students have won top prizes in statewide and national competitions. Past students have continued to attend institutions such as the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, Peabody Conservatory, Interlochen Arts Academy, American University, and University of Maryland Baltimore County. Previous teaching appointments include the University of Denver, Community College of Baltimore County, and the Baltimore School for the Arts.
Zachary also has strong research interests in musicology and has given lectures and talks on a number of musical topics varying from music of Elizabethan England to popular music genres. Specific topics include the socioeconomic environments that birthed extreme music genres, the role of anatomy and physiology in guitar playing, crossover compositional styles among 21st century guitar composers, the lute music of John Dowland, lute music of the English Tudor courts, and Baroque performance practice.
Zachary received two Bachelor of Music degrees in Music Performance and Music Education from West Chester University (Magna Cum Laude), a Master of Music in Music Performance from the University of Denver where he received the Outstanding Recital Award, as well as a Master of Music in Musicology and Doctor of Musical Arts in Music Performance from the Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University.
When he is not performing or teaching, Zachary’s passions lie in cooking and sports. He is an avid Philadelphia sports fan, and you will find him rooting for the Philadelphia Eagles nearly every Sunday in the fall. A former baseball player, one of his favorite past-times is watching the Phillies and frequently visiting the different stadiums in America. Today, Zachary is a fitness and nutrition enthusiast who enjoys learning more about exercise methods and experimenting with different recipes to meet goals for physical projects.