The orchestra is led by Zachary Bartsch, a music educator in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin School District.

Zachary Bartsch is a Director of Bands (Grade 7-12) and a General Music instructor for the St. Croix Falls School District. A National Board-Certified Teacher, he previously taught in the Hillsboro and Prairie Farm school districts.

Active in the Wisconsin music community, Zach serves as Council Chair for Composition and Improvisations for the Wisconsin Music Educators Association and was selected as Low Woodwinds Coach for the Wisconsin State Honors Band for the 2026 and 2027 seasons.

Zach is an avid performer and advocate for community music and has played with the Rice Lake, Reedsburg, and Westby community bands, as well as the Red Cedar Choir and Red Cedar Symphony Orchestra, and occasionally performs with the Dean’s List Big Band. Since 2023, he has served as Assistant Director of the St. Croix Valley Orchestra.

Zach holds a Bachelor of Music Education with an emphasis in Composition from UW-Eau Claire and a Master’s degree from Concordia College in Moorhead.