Royal College of Music graduate offering individually tailored lessons in composition, production and theory

Find out more about Zacharias

• When did you first develop a passion for music and your favourite instrument?

  I think I have always been in love with music and art. My parents put me in a dance class when I was 3 and ever since then dance has been a huge part of my life. If dance was my first love then making the music that accompanied it was my second. I started playing the piano at 6, reluctantly agreed to join choir school at 9 and then fell in love with the sound of the oboe whilst there. This is the instrument that ultimately took me to higher education and music conservatoire where I played everything from solo to the principal parts in big orchestras. However, as with some things in life, I also fell out of love with the oboe. Injuries and a budding interest in making music with other people and producing music took over. Making songs and writing music is something I have always done alongside playing but something I simply saw myself doing more of after a while so this is what I dedicate most of my time doing at the moment.

• Is there a particular type of music or artist that you listen to on a loop without it driving you crazy?

  I have always listened to funk music. And the music from that era, Earth Wind and Fire, The Temptations, Village People is something I could never get tired of I think. A lot of what we call 'masterpieces' in the canon are also beautiful works of art which seem to constantly change depending on the time and context in which it is played. Hearing a well dedicated orchestra live is simply something that can never become boring I think. Other than that my taste is very eclectic, I like to be surprised and listen to everything from very odd new music to hip hop and disco and I think this informs the music I write and the tools I use as well.

• Explain to us the most difficult or riveting course you could personally give to a student of music.

  Learn how to make a piece of music from 0 to a finished audio track or notated piece of music. Learn different ways of creating harmony and melody, noise, textures and rhythm, with or without an instrument, produce this in a music production software, record and then why not make a little music video to go with it? I'll accompany you every step of the way.
  
  I am also a person of connections. Whilst learning music theory, expect to also learn a bit about history, etymology, philosophy and listening skills and whilst learning songwriting and producing expect to also learn about how sound works physically and acoustically. Whilst teaching composition, prepare to experiment, nothing is wrong, everything can be music, it is just about how you use it and what you do with it and my courses try to open you up to those possibilities.

• What do you think is the most complicated instrument to master and why?

  Anything done well will be difficult and hard to master. I do think some instruments are more difficult than others though and perhaps require a bit more resilience and patience...One of them is the oboe, another is the violin and most string instruments and I would also mention the french horn.

• What are your keys to success?

  I am a true believer in the 'happiness advantage', a term that comes from the book with the same name by psychologist Shawn Achor which essentially advocates for well-being and happiness before 'success' in whatever field we have chosen. People often think in the opposite way (success will bring you happiness) but I truly believe that if we can find a way in which to have peace of mind and happiness, we will do our best work. For me, those things are a regular sleep pattern and a lot of sleep, finding and fostering a community around your interests and work, taking care of the people that matter in your life and eating and exercising well. Without health, love and community we are in the end nothing. Sort it out first and the rest will come.
  
  Of course a lot of discipline, and also having a regular schedule helps. Nothing good comes for free, you need to practice.

• Name three musicians you dream of meeting in your favourite bar in the early hours of the morning. Explain why.

  I would have loved to have met John Cage. He was a true trailblazer, a very interesting thinker, ahead of his time and also seems like a very playful and warm person. Another person that comes to mind is Rick Rubin. He is the producer of some of the most famous songs and tracks out there at the moment but is also such an anonymous character. His philosophy on both life and making music seems refreshing and wholesome and he also seems like a nice person and someone to look up to. Finally, I wouldn't mind meeting Marina Abramovic or Pina Bausch. One artist and one choreographer. Crazy and big personalities that it would probably be interesting to have a drink with.

• Provide a valuable anecdote related to music or your days at music school.

  Not so much an anecdote but I think when I changed perspective to being more open to 'mistakes' and less hard on myself, which happened in music conservatoire, that was a valuable thing for me. It was obviously something I realised over a longer period of time but I believe once we learn to make 'mistakes' and become more resilient to setbacks and see them as something valuable instead of an obstacle then everything becomes easier and you'll learn things faster and have more fun whilst doing it.

• What are the little touches that make you a Superprof in music?

  Patience, humour, eclectic connections and creative perspectives.