Zachary Helms is a doctoral cellist pursuing the Doctor of Music degree in Cello Performance at the University of Georgia's Hugh Hodgson School of Music under James Kim. A passionate chamber musician and collaborator, he actively performs throughout Georgia with ensembles including the Augusta Symphony Orchestra, Lawrenceville Symphony Orchestra, Hidden Arts Collaborative, Athens Master Chorale, Athens Chorale Festival, Georgia Ballet Orchestra, and Atlanta International Symphony Orchestra. His diverse performing career allows him to bring a wide variety of traditional and contemporary repertoire to life. His studies have included masterclasses with the Pacifica, Harlem, Rosamunde, Pavel Haas, Dover, Borromeo, and New York Philharmonic String Quartets, as well as Eighth Blackbird, Camerata Nordica, and artists including Rainer Eudaikis, Massimo Macrì, Eli Lara, Julia Lichten, Christina Dahl, and David Ying.

As an educator, Zach currently teaches undergraduate musicians at the Hugh Hodgson School of Music, where he was honored with the Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award in 2026. He has mentored private students throughout the Gwinnett and Athens areas, served as cello faculty for the UGA Summer Music Camp and String Institute, and regularly works with local orchestra programs as a clinician.

Passionate about helping students discover their own musical voice, Zach emphasizes curiosity, active listening, and critical thinking in his teaching. He believes students learn best when they are encouraged to ask questions, make connections, and become independent musicians. His goal is to create a supportive and engaging environment where students develop not only strong technical foundations, but also confidence, creativity, and a lifelong love of music.