Composer

Zane Zalis

Zane Zalis, award-winning Composer/Lyricist has led a storied career in music and music education. As composer/lyricist he created I Believe, a modern oratorio whose world premiere (2009) with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, soloists and a chorus of 180 singers was performed to a sold out audience. I Believe was featured at the opening night gala concert for the World Religious Leaders G8 conference and received a chamber performance in Austria. On October 25, 2011, under the direction of Roberto Paternostro, Conductor and Music Director of the Israel Chamber Orchestra, I Believe will receive its Toronto premiere at Roy Thomson Hall.

Since 2006 Zane has been the Artistic Director/Conductor of the Murau International Music Festival in Austria bringing together talented singers and instrumentalists from both Canada and Europe. Beginning in 1983, Zane was a pioneer in using technology and music to develop creative and critical thinking skills in young people. He is the founder and director of Prodigy, a program of professional training in contemporary vocal performance which is part of the nationally recognized music program at Miles Macdonell Collegiate(River East Transcona School Division) in Winnipeg. Many of his students have gone on to successful music careers both in academia and professional performance, both nationally and internationally. Zane has had over 200 recording studio appearances as a session musician, arranger, producer and composer. He is a composer laureate for St. Paul’s College (University of Manitoba) has served as Choir Director for the North American Symphonic Premiere of Lord of the Rings at the MTS Centre with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, choral contractor/director for Sarah Brightman’s Winnipeg concert, and has been music and vocal director for Rainbow Stage, where he also served on the Board of Directors and was chair of production. As a composer/lyricist Zane was invited to become part of the prestigious BMI Musical Theatre Workshops in New York. Additionally, Zane was Composer and Music Director for the opening of the Gala Concert for Queen Elizabeth II’s 50th anniversary celebration, broadcast nationally. He was also producer and arranger for “Remember”, a national CD project featuring some of Canada’s finest singers in honour of the 60th anniversary of D-Day.

Through his creation and message of I Believe, Zane was awarded the Canadian Interfaith Leadership Award and the inaugural Lieutenant Governor’s Medal for the Advancement of Inter- religious Understanding. For his significant contributions to music, music education and community Zane received the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal.