Zenas likes playing the violin. He was born in sunny San Jose, California and had his first audience in the hummingbirds and the crows outside his living room window. His favorite memories of childhood included discovering Mendelssohn piano trios and reading books of Frank Herbert, J.R.R. Tolkien, George R.R. Martin, and Dan Simmons.
He eventually found himself in Philadelphia at the Curtis Institute of Music, where he microwaved broccoli whole and survived on pizza. He then fulfilled his graduate degrees at the New England Conservatory of Music where he learned how to properly steam broccoli, strain pasta, and feed himself thanks to the friends he made along the way. His musical mentors who helped shape his musical personality include Wei He, Ida Kavafian, Nicholas Kitchen, and Donald Weilerstein.
Zenas really likes playing music with others. He is a founding member of Chamber Music by the Bay, an interactive music series based in California dedicated to bringing the joy of chamber music to libraries and local public schools. He is also concertmaster of the Boston-based Phoenix, an orchestra focused on approachable concert experiences in places ranging from museums to breweries.
When he is not violin-ing, Zenas enjoys taking candid photos and videos, pondering the meaning of the universe, running in the park, and dreaming about the future. In recent years, he has been spending lots of time with his wife, Janny, and trying new things like skiing, horseback riding, snorkeling, and dancing. Come up and talk to him anytime! He might be a little shy but he will always enjoy your company.
