Zander is 17 years old, and has completed Grade 11 at The Collegiate at the University of Winnipeg. He has been playing the cello since he was five and has been a member of the Winnipeg Youth Orchestras since he was eight, now serving as the Principal Cellist of the Youth Symphony Orchestra. He currently studies with WSO Principal Cellist, Yuri Hooker.

Zander has been involved in the Winnipeg Music Festival for years, winning numerous awards, including the Victor Feldbrill Trophy for Best String Performance (2010), the Winnipeg Bach Festival Trophy (2008, 2010), and the Manitoba Provincial Festival Senior String Competition (2009). In 2009, Zander performed in the National Music Festival Competition, representing all string players in Manitoba. He has participated in masterclasses with some of North America’s finest cellists, including Paul Marleyn, Desmond Hoebig, John Kadz, and Ron Leonard. This July, he will attend the Morningside Music Bridge program at Mount Royal College.

Zander has an interest in all genres of new music. He is enthusiastic about performing works of modern composers, including those of Witold Lutoslawski and Alfred Schnittke. He also devotes much time to composing, recording, playing and improvising on a wide variety of other instruments. Zander is delighted to have this opportunity to perform at the Agassiz Festival.