Zach’s first encounter with partner dancing was overhearing his dad’s attempt to sign him up for lessons as a child. He promptly screamed in terror, and the studio never called back. He joined his college swing club in 2010 – much to his dad’s bewilderment – and the rest went downhill from there!

Years of wrangling an unhinged enthusiasm for Shag have honed a playful and musical style, delighting audiences across the world. Zach – being very neurodivergent – strives to show that letting your personality shine is not “being too much” in artistic endeavor.

In the classroom, Zach creates a lighthearted and positive learning environment with witty banter and dad jokes. His teaching specialties in Shag are cultivating body awareness and quality of movement, supplemented with a bevy of solo drills. These drills are intended as a practice tool for Shag enthusiasts, especially those without access to regular instruction or partners.

Zach leads the Shag community-building efforts at home in the Austin scene. His sense of purpose is driven by a desire to create spaces where people feel they belong.