Zach Larson

Cellist and Tubaist Zach Larson is a graduate of the Boston University School of Music, where he received both his Performance Diploma (2023) and BM in Cello Performance (2019). While at BU, Zach studied with renowned pedagogue and cellist of the Muir String Quartet, Michael Reynolds. Zach often held principal positions in the university’s ensembles, including serving as principal cellist in Boston University Symphony Orchestra’s April 2023 performance of Mahler’s “Resurrection” symphony at Boston Symphony Hall. In-between his studies at BU, Zach was awarded a MA from the University of Central Florida (2021), where he was a Graduate Assistant and member of the newly formed UCF Pegasus String Quartet.

Raised in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota, Zach has long had a connection to music. He began playing both the tuba and cello in grade school, and has refused to give either one up since. In high school he was a founding member of Quartz Quartet, and attended both Interlochen Arts Camp, and the Boston University Tanglewood Institute. His abilities on both instruments has led him to have a reputation as the “double threat” among colleagues. In addition to his cello experience, Zach also holds a BM in Tuba Performance from BU where he studied with Boston Symphony Orchestra Principal Tubist, Mike Roylance.

Sought after on both instruments, Zach has had the privilege to perform in some of the world’s most prestigious concert halls across the United States, South America, and Europe; including Carnegie Hall, the Musikverein in Vienna, and Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw.

Not only an active performer, Zach has also been dedicated to teaching the next generation of young artists. In his past teaching, whether with the Boston Youth Symphony’s ICP program or the Chamber Music Festival of The Black Hills, he has always strived to cultivate a learning environment for students which can be characterized by discipline, legacy, fun, and most importantly a loving curiosity.

Zach’s principal cello teachers include Michael Reynolds, David Bjella, Sarah Freiburg, and Jurgen de Lemos. Additionally, he has worked with artists such as the Dover String Quartet, Benjamin Zander, Zuill Bailey, Melissa Kraut, Mihail Jojatu, and Peter Zazofsky.