Zac Pulak’s enthusiasm for performing and the music he brings to audiences of all ages is boundless. The Ottawa-based percussionist has gathered awards, accolades, and a steady stream of invitations and commissions, with the CBC declaring  Zac one of Canada’s “30 Hot Canadian Classical Musicians Under 30”. He has also been called “truly virtuosic and intense” (Confluence Concerts) and “above all, a melodist” (The WholeNote).

Recognized as “one of Ottawa’s most dynamic musicians” (CBC), Zac loves collaborating with other musicians. As a freelance percussionist, Zac performs with the National Arts Centre Orchestra and the symphony orchestras of Ottawa, Thunder Bay, and Kingston. Zac has also lent his sound to performances with artists and ensembles such as the Gryphon Trio, Bennewitz Quartet, theremin virtuoso Thorwald Jorgensen, sopranos Barbara Hannigan and Wallis Giunta, and more. A passionate and dedicated teacher, Zac inspires the joy of percussion playing with students at the Ottawa Youth Orchestra Academy, Centre d’excellence artistique d’Ontario, and at the University of Ottawa.

Zac is also the co-founder of the piano/percussion duo SHHH!! Ensemble. Together with his partner Edana Higham they explore sonic worlds through a myriad of percussion instruments and piano. SHHH!! has released two albums to date: their debut album “Meanwhile”  (2022, Analekta) was nominated for the East Coast Music Award’s “Classical Recording of the Year”, and the duo’s sophomore album, “ An Auditory Survey of the Last Days of the Holocene”  (2023, Leaf Music), received a five-star rating from La Scena Musicale. SHHH!! tours extensively across Canada, appearing at festivals from coast to coast.

Zac is an artist/endorser of Sabian Cymbals.