Zachary Mathes was appointed Principal Timpanist of the Billings Symphony Orchestra and Chorale in the spring of 2017. In addition, he plays as Principal Timpanist with the Butler County Symphony Orchestra and has performed with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra, Battle Creek Symphony, Edgewood Symphony Orchestra, and the Brevard Music Center Orchestra. While attending Brevard, he received instruction from Charles Ross, Gwendolyn Dease and performed under the direction of Keith Lockhart, Matthias Bamert, and JoAnn Falletta. Zachary stays active as a performer of new music, too. He recently joined Pittsburgh new music ensemble, NAT28. 

A native of Charleston, West Virginia, Zachary received his Bachelor’s of MusicPerformance from Oberlin College and Conservatory. He then pursued his Master’s of Music in Performance at Sam Houston State University and continued his education in Pittsburgh, where he graduated in 2017 with an Artist’s Diploma in Percussion Performance. His primary teachers have included Michael Rosen, John Lane, Edward Stephan, Chris Allen, and John Soroka. 

As an educator, Zachary keeps a private studio of students in addition to assisting with local high school percussion programs. He was recently named Adjunct Professor of Percussion at Waynesburg University. Zachary proudly endorses Innovative Percussion sticks and mallets and Drum Dial.

Zachary makes his home in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with his girlfriend Sarah and their cat, Audrey.