Specialist
Zach’s passion for classical music and engineering brought him to Kirkegaard. Especially throughout his pursuit of degrees in Molecular Engineering and Music at the University of Chicago, Zach has felt continuously integrated with both worlds, a fact that makes acoustics a perfect fit for his background. Zach has been a performer and avid music listener almost his entire life, beginning at the age of three when he began studying classical guitar through the Suzuki Method. After picking up the clarinet in fourth grade, Zach started performing regularly in concert band and orchestra settings. In terms of his musical activity, Zach is most excited by his pursuits as an orchestral conductor, brought about by a real love for orchestral music and an unfortunate hand injury that required him to retire as a guitarist.
His lifelong commitment to music brought him in contact with Kirkegaard’s work long before he first joined the firm as an intern during the summer of 2022. As a performer and frequent audience member, Zach has experienced first-hand the acoustics of sites such as the Logan Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Chicago and the Benedict Music Tent at the Aspen Music Festival. As a result, he understands the value of arts projects to a variety of communities and is excited to couple his commitment to music and the arts with his education as an engineer while contributing to the meaningful work at Kirkegaard.
Which artist inspires you and why?
Where do you go for inspiration?
The theater! Attending concerts and operas affords me opportunities not only to enjoy great music, but to observe the impact of architectural acoustics on the quality of these performances and to appreciate the conductors and other performers responsible for its execution. Particularly memorable and moving performances often really motivate me to study harder in order to improve as a conductor. In the same way, they encourage me to bring my all to the office, where I can contribute to projects that provide more arts organizations with homes that will do justice to their work.
Education:
- B.S. in Molecular Engineering and a B.A. in Music, University of Chicago
Membership:
- International Conductors Guild / Member
- Acoustical Society of America / Member