Zach Compston is a highly regarded drummer, percussionist and music educator, known for his passion and experience in many avenues of the music world. Currently the VP of Education and Community Engagement at the Jazz Arts Group of Columbus, America’s oldest non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the art of jazz through performance and education, he develops and implements jazz education programs and community engagement opportunities for all ages.

As an educator, Compston was recently an adjunct professor at his alma mater (2010) Capital University, conducting the Big Band and instructing the Seminar in Musical Leadership course for graduate students. He is also a faculty member of the Columbus Youth Jazz program at Jazz Arts Group, teaching lessons, jazz combos and large ensembles. He has given clinics at the Jazz Education Network Conference, Wichita State University, Beavercreek Jazz Festival and the Ohio Music Education Association Conference. In addition to his bachelor’s degree in jazz studies from Capital, Compston received a master’s degree in percussion from Indiana University in 2012. 

Zach maintains an active performing schedule, including the weekly Park Street Tavern Tuesday Jazz Jam Session, and he can be heard on recordings with his own big band, the Zach Compston Big Band and Columbus-area Latin Jazz ensemble Waves de Ache. As a percussionist, Compston has performed with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, ProMusica Chamber Orchestra, Lafayette Symphony Orchestra and Owensboro Symphony Orchestra, and frequently performs in Columbus with such touring shows as Amy Grant/Michael W. Smith, Andrea Bocelli, The Legend of Zelda, and Final Fantasy.