About
Conductor and Double Bassist Sebastian Zinca earned his degree in Double bass from the Juilliard School and is currently pursuing his masters in Conducting from the Sibelius Academy in Finland.
As a bass player, he toured with the Pacific Music Festival Orchestra and the National Youth Orchestra of the United States, and served as principal bass of the Juilliard Orchestra. He has performed numerous solo and chamber recitals in the U.S. and Europe.
As a conductor, Sebastian held two music director positions in New York, with the Fordham University Orchestra, and with an orchestra he assembled of top young musicians in the New York area. He has additionally conducted the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Pori Sinfonietta, the Jyväskylä Sinfonia, the North Czech Philharmonic, the Bohuslav Martinů Philharmonic, the Berlin Sinfonietta, and gives regular concerts with the orchestras of the Sibelius Academy.
A passionate teacher, Sebastian was hired as a teaching assistant of music theory and ear training during his studies at Juilliard and as a faculty of double bass, chamber music, and orchestra for Juilliard's Music Advancement Program. Immediately upon graduating he was recruited to teach music theory and ear training for Juilliard's acclaimed Pre-College program, teaching outstandingly gifted students ages 8-18. He has also served as a substitute teacher of music theory at Fordham University.
Music Theory: I place a huge emphasis on engaging my students. I always find ways to make sure they are an active participant in the learning process, asking many questions challenging them along the way. I am extremely thorough in everything I teach. It's important to grasp fundamental concepts with as much depth as possible so that it can really apply to performance, and so that subsequent material can compounds effectively. I make sure to approach concepts from many angles to broaden perspective as fully as possible and keep the student inquisitive and curious. This involves, writing, singing, repertoire analysis, piano if possible.
Ear Training: I teach ear training very much in the Juilliard style. This is a world-renowned pedagogical approach that involves lots of singing, many different exercises, and dictations, all of which are centered around theory as well. It is very challenging, very fun, and very effective!
Double Bass: Instrumental performance is very personal. I make sure I'm teaching the student what they want to learn and working with them to achieve their specific goals. I also make sure to foster the student's talent and individuality. At the same time I push them in a direction I believe will help them grow the most. I help choose repertoire for them to learn that will be best for them and their growth, and always give thorough practice advice on how most effectively to work at home. I have an extensive knowledge of repertoire, practice/scale exercises, audition techniques etc.
Conducting: I help students learn repertoire as effectively as possible, help with the basics of technique, and work on how best to communicate their musical ideas physically using their own physicality.
BM, Juilliard School
Faculty, Juilliard Pre-College