Zachary Carrettin is an internationally acclaimed violinist, music director, and innovator, having performed in more than twenty-five countries across four continents. Renowned for his thoughtful and dynamic programming, he masterfully bridges centuries of repertoire, presenting works from the 16th to the 21st Century on historical, modern, and electric instruments.

Carrettin’s extensive discography on the Sono Luminus label showcases his versatility, featuring Boundless (Schubert sonatinas with Mina Gajić on original instruments), Metamorphosis (Bach Cello Suites on baroque viola), Confluence (Balkan dances and Tango Nuevo), Boulder Bach Festival (concertos and vocal works with BBF's CORE ensemble), and Bach UnCaged (Bach’s solo works on electric violin paired with Cage's prepared piano). His upcoming release, Aequora (2025), will feature new music from Iceland. Praised by Gramophone Magazine for infusing “everything with poetry” and by Early Music America for offering performances that “counsel we can see the world anew,” Carrettin’s recordings reflect his profound artistry.

Early in his career, Carrettin performed at notable venues such as the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts, the Wolf Trap Center, and the San Francisco War Memorial Opera House. His collaborations span diverse genres, including performances for the Sultan and Royal Family of Oman, appearances with Project Bandaloop, and tours with Chanticleer. In the realm of historically inspired performance, Carrettin has appeared as a concerto soloist and guest concertmaster with American Bach Soloists in San Francisco and served as concertmaster on Ars Lyrica’s GRAMMY-nominated recording of Hasse’s Marc’ Antonio e Cleopatra. He performed as guest concertmaster with Musica Angelica in Los Angeles, and toured internationally with El Mundo, performing baroque music from Mexico and South America.

Carrettin’s chamber music collaborations are equally distinguished, partnering with luminaries such as the Vadim Gluzman, Joyce Yang, the Dover and Tokyo Quartets, and in early music collaborations with Monica Huggett, Giovanni Antonini, Nicholas McGeegan, as well as genre-defying artists like Yanni: with whom he toured one hundred cities internationally. Carrettin’s original compositions and recordings have been featured on CBS Sunday Morning, 60 Minutes, and NPR's Sunday Baroque.

A dedicated educator, Carrettin holds degrees in violin performance from Rice University and orchestral conducting from the University of Illinois, having also studied conducting at the National University of Music in Bucharest. He pursued doctoral studies in viola at Rice University and has served on faculties at Sam Houston State University, where he was Director of Orchestras, and the University of Colorado Boulder, where he directed early music ensembles and Eklund Opera’s production of Händel’s Ariodante.

Currently in his twelfth year as Music Director of Boulder Bach Festival, his co-founding and cultivation of the festival’s ensemble-in-residence resulted in the transformation of the non-profit’s brand and mission statement. COmpass REsonance, a recording and touring ensemble of dynamic soloists with a diverse repertoire, now hosts the annual Bach festival in addition to its other activities. Carrettin and COmpass REsonance continue to captivate audiences with their shared commitment to innovative and historically inspired performance.

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