Zachary McGee

String Orchestra Director

Zachary McGee earned his Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance at UC Santa Barbara and Master of Music in Cello Performance at California State University Sacramento. After starting cello at the age of 14 in his public school orchestra programs in Santa Barbara, CA.  Zach began serious private studies after hearing a life-changing performance of the slow movement from the Rachmaninoff Cello Sonata when he was 17 and went on to be able to study with many phenomenal mentors (Geoffrey Rutkowski, John Sant’Ambroggio, Andrew Luchansky, Richard Slavich, Jeffrey Solow, and Richard Webb for baroque cello) and be able to attend the Meadowmount School of Music.

Zach is currently the orchestra director at Capital High School and Ortiz Middle School for the Santa Fe Public Schools, where he enjoys teaching string students of all levels from beginners to All-State. As a private studio teacher, Zach’s students have won music scholarships, seats in All-State Orchestras, spots in university music programs, and pre-college spots at several conservatory programs.

Being a late starter on cello, Zach knows the importance of passing on a strong mastery of the fundamentals to the next generation of music makers and believes every student has the potential to achieve even the loftiest musical dreams with the right set of tools and enough support.  When not working with students or practicing himself, Zach enjoys experimenting with coffee and walking his rescue pit bull, Boo.