Biography

Donald Zook, flutist, made his solo debut at Orchestra Hall in Chicago. He earned his Bachelor of Music, magna cum laude, from the American Conservatory of Music, where he received the John Conterio Award in recognition of his outstanding ability in performance. Donald has premiered and recorded several works for flute, written especially for him.

Donald is Woodwind Department Chair and Director of Chamber Music at South Shore Conservatory in Hingham and Duxbury, Massachusetts. He is professor of flute at Bridgewater State University. Donald has taught on the faculties of Eastern Nazarene College and Stonehill College in southeastern Massachusetts and the American Conservatory College and Park Forest Conservatory in Illinois. He is a much sought-after flute teacher in Southeastern Massachusetts and gives many master classes throughout the Boston area, including a clinic for the Greater Boston Flute Association.

Appearing as a soloist and in chamber ensembles throughout New England, the Midwest and New York, Donald delights audiences with his technique, passion, and virtuosity. Donald has performed with several orchestras, including Chicago's Businessman's Orchestra as Co-Principal, and has played countless Broadway musicals and operas. He has frequently performed at concert series including those of the Chicago Artist Association, Harvard University, Endicott College, Old South Church of Boston, King's Chapel, Morris Museum in New Jersey, the Donnell Library in New York, the James Library in Norwell, and the Duxbury Art Complex. He was also featured in the Arts Alive Concert Series in the Virgin Islands.

As former Vice-President and Artist-in-Residence of the Chicago Flute Society, Donald has acted as music consultant for WTTV television studios and has recorded for three major dance studios. An advocate of new music, he has premiered several new works for the flute, winning him critical praise from Chicago, New York, and New England reviewers.

His expertise and knowledge of flutes caught the attention of Altus Flutes, the world-renowned flute company, who have asked Donald to be their representative for South Eastern Massachussetts.

Donald is the founder, music director and conductor of South Shore Conservatory's Flute Symphony, one of the largest flute symphonies in the United States, and has commissioned many new works and arrangements for this flute ensemble. His first CD, Last Rose of Summer features rarely recorded virtuoso music of the Romantic Era and is frequently aired on WCRB, WFCC, WFCR and the World Classical Network.