Zachary Donaldson
Zachary is a classical guitarist currently studying at San Francisco State University. He’s traveled in Spain, Portugal, Chile, and Brazil and is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese. His repertoire includes pieces by Sor, Brouwer, and Tárrega. He also has a deep passion for Brazilian music, performing pieces by Villa-Lobos, Garoto, and João Pernambuco. He has studied with Michael Goldberg of UC Berkeley and Marc Teicholz of the San Francisco Conservatory. In 2019 and 2020 he completed an academic year abroad where he took classes in the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile and studied with Diego Castro of the same university and Nicolás Emilfork of the University of Chile. Zachary has been teaching guitar since 2019 and has a passion for teaching. He enjoys using an organized approach to help students not only learn to play guitar, but enjoy play the kinds of music they like. He’s excited to get you started on your musical journey!
Alive or Dead, What Musician would you do anything to see?
Francesco da Milano. He was a lute player from the 16th century. A contemporary description of his performance says that “He transported all those who listened in such a gracious melancholy that his listeners remained deprived of all sensations but that of hearing.”
Greatest Musical Influence?
The awesome music teachers who have taught and inspired me throughout my life through their kindness, support, and talent.
Any hidden talents besides music?
I am fluent in Spanish and Portuguese. I’m learning German as well.
What did you want to be while you were growing up?
Pretty much everything from policeman to chef to rockstar.
If you could have any ‘Super Power’, which one would it be?
Time travel. Is that even a super power?
If you could master any other instrument which would it be?
Piano, I love keyboard instruments and would love to have that freedom to play anything.
Have you had what people would consider your “15 Minutes of Fame”, and if so when/what was that?
I think the closest thing would be when I performed with my university choir on stage with the Eagles in front of 11,000 people at the Chase center in San Francisco.
It’s your last meal: What would it be?
A feast of various Indian curries complete with rice and naan.
You are sent to a deserted island, and you only have one album to listen to: Which is it?
Nigel North – The Heart Trembles with Pleasure: Music for Lute by Sylvius Leopold Weiss
If you could leave one lesson with your students what would it be?
I’ll quote Frank Zappa on this one:
- Don’t stop
- Keep going
