About Me
Zach Bethel is a trombonist and brass educator in the Madison, WI area. Zach is currently the Adjunct Low Brass Instructor at Concordia University Wisconsin where he teaches lessons and performs with the CUW faculty brass quintet. An active chamber musician, Zach performs with the Beltline Bones, an electro-acoustic trombone quartet, as well as the Bridger Brass, a contemporary brass quintet. He is also on staff with Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps as a low brass instructor. Zach routinely freelances contemporary gigs and church services throughout central Wisconsin. He is a multi-faceted trombonist and has performed in a wide variety of spaces alongside the Madison Jazz Orchestra, Madison Brass Band, and with several small combos and regional orchestras throughout the Midwest.
He is proficient on bass trombone and euphonium. In addition to maintaining a private studio, Zach is the trombone instructor at University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Summer Music Clinic. Zach was also recently appointed the Admin and Membership Coordinator at Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras.
Zach received his master's in trombone performance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison ('22) and is passionate about new and contemporary music.
Originally from Orlando, Florida, Zach graduated from Florida State University with a double major in Music and English ('20). His primary instructors have included Mark Hetzler, Dr. John Drew, and Jeff Thomas.
An avid educator of the marching arts, Zach has spent several years instructing and teaching marching bands and drum and bugle corps. Previous to working with the Madison Scouts, Zach was on the brass instructional team at The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps. He also teaches music and visual for several high school marching bands throughout Wisconsin. While at UW-Madison, Zach was a graduate teaching assistant with the Badger Band where he aided in rehearsals, instructed trombone sectionals, and led pep bands for various collegiate sporting events.
Zach is also a member and founder of the Beltline Bones, a midwest-based trombone quartet that pursues contemporary sounds and pushes the boundaries of modern repertoire through electro-acoustic means. On their third and most recent tour, the group performed at University of Oklahoma, University of Arkansas, University of Iowa, Northern Illinois University, Eastern Illinois University and Missouri Sate University. The quartet released their debut album “Audiogenica” on Cmntx Records in March of 2024. The group has also performed at the American Trombone Workshop, Ball State University, Central Michigan, and Eastern Michigan. You can see their latest performances and happenings at their instagram over at @beltlinebones.
Furthering his chamber music experience, Zach performs with the Bridger Brass quintet. In the spring of 2024, the quintet completed a week-long residency at Montana State University where they performed a concert under the President Series, performed alongside the MSU Concert Band, and taught several lessons and masterclasses throughout the week.
Outside of the music profession, Zach enjoys reading, and hiking and kayaking with his wife Lauren and dog Cleo.
Resume and CV available upon request.
