Dedicated to promoting the unique role of his instrument as an important voice in solo, chamber, and orchestral repertoire, bassoonist Zachary VonCannon has performed with the Charlotte Symphony and as a soloist with the Youth Orchestra of Charlotte and Charlotte Youth Wind Ensemble. He stands firmly by the idea that music should be made available to all, regardless of class, age, or occupation. He is committed to delivering the gift of music to those in his community that need it most, and regularly engages with local retirement communities, hospitals, and churches, performing in free community concerts. In his native Charlotte, he was involved in the youth-led community engagement organization Melodic Minors, a non-profit that also produces fundraising concerts for various philanthropic endeavors, “unifying the community one note at a time.” 

Encouraged by the many public school music teachers that have helped him along his musical journey, Zach also loves teaching music to children and has helped produce and run musical petting zoos at local performance venues and children’s museums, teaching kids the basics of music and musical instruments. 

Zach is currently pursuing his undergraduate degree at The Juilliard School, studying with Kim Laskowski. He plays regularly with the many ensembles of Juilliard: the Juilliard Orchestra, Wind Orchestra, and the contemporary ensemble, AXIOM. He has also had the tremendous honor of participating in renowned summer music festivals: the Brevard Music Center Summer Institute and Festival, the Aspen Music Festival and School, and the Colorado College Summer Music Festival. Inspired by the community-building power of chamber music, Zach is a proud member of Amity Winds, a woodwind quintet formed at Juilliard who recently were semi-finalists at the 2023 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. 

Originally from Charlotte, NC, Zach chose the bassoon because it is by far the most interesting looking instrument in the orchestra. Little did he know that learning to play the bassoon would involve a lifelong marriage with reed making. He began his bassoon studies at age 12 with his beloved first teacher, Lori Tiberio, former bassoonist and contrabassoonist with the Charlotte Symphony. When not playing his instrument or obsessing over reeds, he loves learning languages, reading 20th century American literature, and spending time with his adorable but needy dogs, Bentley and Zoey.