Zachary W Lavender

Victim of Circumstance Zachary W Lavender

Born in Monroe Louisiana and migrating to the city of Chicago, Illinois. Zachary began his musical journey at the tender age of ten. Zachary's training was helmed by some of Chicago's finest in the area of choral, church and vocal music. He has done extensive training in voice pedagogy at Roosevelt University/Chicago Musical College, under the guidance of Mr. Robert Long and Ms. Ruth Ann Bishop. In 1998 and 2002, he was the recipient of the Musicianship and Creativity Award from Thurston G. Frazier Memorial Chorale. His compositions and arrangements have been featured at The Gospel Music Workshop of America and have allowed him the honor of working with some of the countries most talented and gifted musicians. From 2000 up until 2013, Zachary served as Praise Team Leader, Director of Children's Music and Director of Music at churches throughout the Chicagoland area. His latest joy is working with children's voices at Lifeline Church in Cicero, Illinois, where he is a current partner. Over the last ten years, Zachary has devoted and committed the necessary tools in developing and training children's voices. He believes all children should be given the opportunity to learn and embrace the "art of singing". Zachary has written and published music ranging from choral, children and instrumental. His latest work, "Bethlehem's Joy", will be premiering in the fall/winter of 2016. To his credit, Zachary has shared the stage with Felicia Coleman-Evans, Milas Armor and jazz legend, Phil Cohran. He has performed tenor solo works such as George Frederic Handel's "Messiah", "Judas Maccabeus" and Theodore Dubois, "The Seven Last Words of Christ". He has also had the privilege of singing with such prominent choirs such as Love Enlightenment Chorale, Delegation for Christ, The Apollo Chorus, Community Renewal Chorus and Chicago Community Chorus. Zachary has continued to hone his skills as a composer, conductor, teacher and musician and he counts it all joy, honor, and privilege to be chosen by God to help lead the church in music "Excellence".