ZACH BROCK APPOINTED ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL OF LEXINGTON

Zach Brock, native Lexingtonian and Grammy-winning violinist, has been appointed Artistic Director of the Chamber Music Festival of Lexington. He assumes the role from his longtime friend Nathan Cole, who as co-founder in 2007 has been Artistic Director for 19 years. 

Cole, who was appointed Concertmaster of the Boston Symphony in 2024, noted, “I am immensely proud of the quality and accomplishments of the festival, and I want to remain involved. Sadly, my new responsibilities in Boston prevent me from giving the time needed to develop the programs that Lexington has come to expect. Zach, whom I have known since we were both in CKYO as kids, is among the most accomplished musicians I know, and so the festival’s programs and continued success are in good hands. I look forward to being part of the festival under Zach’s direction.”

Brock said, “Moving back to Lexington recently has been very rewarding, and this appointment at the Chamber Music Festival of Lexington is among the most significant things to come from it. My first experience with the festival was in 2017 when Nathan included me as Artist-in-Residence for that year’s festival.  I am deeply honored to be entrusted with an organization known for its innovation and artistic excellence. I have known and respected Nathan for decades, and I look forward to collaborating with him and the wonderful and talented core troupe to continue bringing world-class chamber music to my hometown.”

Chamber Music Festival of Lexington board president Gregory Pettit observed, “We are incredibly lucky in Lexington to have such dedicated and world-renowned native sons bring both excellence and excitement back to their hometown year after year. We are luckier still to have the community support that has enabled us to bring world-class music to Lexington and continue to grow. We are delighted to have Zach Brock as artistic director to continue that tradition.”

About Zach Brock

Zach Brock is a multi-Grammy Award-winning American jazz violinist and composer best known for his long-standing membership in the genre-bending instrumental group Snarky Puppy. Heralded by critics as the "pre-eminent improvising violinist of his generation," his style uniquely blends jazz, classical, world, and popular music. He has released over a dozen albums as a leader or co-leader. A dedicated educator, Brock serves as an adjunct faculty member at The New School in NYC and has been an Artist-in-Residence at Temple University. He will premiere his new orchestral suite, What Remains, with the Lexington Chamber Orchestra on May 9, 2026.

About Nathan Cole

A veteran of both the LA Philharmonic and the Chicago Symphony, Nathan Cole is a world-renowned American violinist who was appointed Concertmaster of the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) starting with the 2024–2025 season. He is only the fourth person to hold this prestigious position in the last 104 years. He co-founded the Chamber Music Festival of Lexington in 2007.

About the Chamber Music Festival of Lexington

Founded in 2007, The Chamber Music Festival of Lexington is held over 10 days every year in the famed Bluegrass horse country of Lexington, Kentucky. The festival brings together a quintet of nationally recognized musicians to offer Central Kentuckians formal concerts, concerts by its Ensemble-in-Residence, educational programs, a world class guest artist, and in most years a newly commissioned chamber piece.  Its Artistic Director is native Lexingtonian Zach Brock, Grammy-winning violinist.