Most musicians spend hours in their youth practicing their instruments and learning how to perform. But it’s more rare for a young music student to have stewardship over another’s learning. Many musicians get through school not knowing much about how to teach another person to play their instrument, much less run a small business where they make money from their musical knowledge. Cellist Zachary Sweet teaches classes for several higher education institutions on how to launch your teaching career, so he’s the perfect person to chat with today.
Zachary Sweet is a registered Teacher Trainer with the Suzuki Association of the Americas. He is currently an instructor of cello at Nazareth College, Binghamton University, and on the faculties of Ithaca Talent Education and Music Together of Ithaca. Nationally, he is in demand as a clinician having lead workshops, masterclasses and institutes across the united states and Canada.
Zachary performs extensively throughout the Tri-State area as soloist, chamber musician and orchestral player. Zachary performs regularly with Cayuga Chamber Orchestra, the Society for New Music, and in a trio with mezzo-soprano, Ivy Waltz and pianist, Pej Reitz. Highlights this year include a recorded live recital for Civic Morning Musicals in Syracuse, NY in April 2021, and a recital with Nazareth College piano trio at the Eastman School of Music in October.
As teachers, we talk about teaching with love, but it’s also really necessary that we’re smart about the time we have, and that everything we’re doing supports a career that has longevity and growth.
Zachary Sweet
