He started playing guitar at the age of 11 and began to turn his interest to jazz when he was 16. Zachary graduated from Elmhurst College in 2007 with honors with a degree in music performance. While there he had the opportunity to study with Frank Portolese, Chris Siebold, Mark Colby, Bob Rummage, and Frank Caruso, among others. Zachary has also had the opportunity to perform with such artists as those already mentioned, as well as, Kris Meyers, Glenn Kotche, Ritch Stitzel, Bobby Shew, Matt Harris, Dennis Diblasio, Patti Austin, and others.