"The sheer diversity of Zalis’ writing is astonishing.
Zalis is a fine orchestrator. Even at their most dense, textures never crowd."
– Colin Clarke, Fanfare
Zane Zalis, based in Treaty One territory in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, with Ukrainian/European ancestry, is a distinguished composer, lyricist, writer, producer, and educator with a remarkable array of accolades, including the PhD Dissertation Award from CSSE ARTS SIG, the Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence, and multiple Opus Klassik nominations. His work has graced prestigious venues such as Lincoln Center and Roy Thomson Hall, and his compositions have been performed internationally in locations like New York, Toronto, and Stuttgart. Zalis has also made significant contributions to commercial music and education, creating innovative programs and methods for creative development and performance. His oratorio I Believe has been recorded by the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and Bayer Philharmoniker.
"Zalis does not sit in the quiet room, but perceives every rejection and every oscillation and finds for it a music that speaks directly in its emotionality."
- Christoph Baechtle
I Believe; a Holocaust oratorio for today
I Believe is about the power of faith during the Holocaust, at which time cruelty and hatred reached unimaginable proportions. The words and music you will hear tell a story that must never be forgotten.
New & Upcoming
Please note the following:
February 7, 2025 – new release, I Loved You Then I Love You Now (A love letter to my father who walked with the shadows of dementia.)
February 20, 2025 – Joy Smith Foundation: Illuminate Hope Gala, an inspiring evening dedicated to supporting survivors of human trafficking and redefining how we prevent and combat this urgent issue.
Performance of Fallen Angel.
The words and the music in “Fallen Angel”, encompass the feelings of despair and abandonment so many victims of human trafficking experience. It enables the listener to understand the injustice children feel when perpetrators prey upon them. This brilliantly written piece speaks to the depths of the heart of the listener. We know immediately what the victim endures.