The Director and Ensemble

Dr. Zachary Durlam serves as Director of Choral Activities at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, artistic director of the Master Singers of Milwaukee, and choir director at Grace Lutheran Church in Grafton, Wisconsin.

At UWM, Durlam leads multiple choirs and teaches graduate and undergraduate conducting and choral literature. He previously taught at Fresno Pacific University where he was awarded the university’s Faculty Distinguished Service Award.  Prior to that, Durlam taught high school vocal music for twelve years – including nine at Iowa City West where his Chamber Choir was chosen to perform at the North Central American Choral Directors Association conference and the music department was one of seven programs in the nation named a Gold Signature School by the Grammy Foundation.

He received his bachelor’s degree from Luther College, master’s from the University of Iowa, and doctorate from Michigan State University. UWM choirs under his direction have been finalists in the American Prize competition and were selected for performances on state conferences of the Wisconsin Choral Directors Association (WCDA) and Wisconsin Music Educators Association (WMEA) and the regional conference of the 10-state Midwestern American Choral Directors Association (MACDA).

Choirs under Durlam’s direction have also appeared on Milwaukee tour stops with Andrea Bocelli, the Eagles, and the Rolling Stones. Durlam has presented at state and regional conferences of ACDA and the National Association for Music Educators, and he frequently works as a guest conductor and clinician. He is a past president of the Wisconsin Choral Directors Association and currently serves as president-elect for the Midwestern Choral Directors Association.