Zach Gedman has lived in Mission Hills for 13 years with his mom, dad, older sister, Elle, and younger brother, Alex. Throughout his time at Shawnee Mission East, Zach has developed a love for music. 

He’s currently in marching band, symphonic band and jazz band, but he’s been able to add his own twist to the programs. Zach’s instrument of choice is a bass guitar — the only stringed instrument in band.

He began playing and learning to play the bass guitar on his own before joining the band and now believes it’s a different and invaluable part of the program. He believes his stringed instrument brings a unique twist to their sound and has helped them become successful. 

“We placed higher this marching season during the Kansas Bandmaster Association competition than we ever have,” Zach said. Zach has been able to curate a class schedule that has allowed him to take band as a class along with AP classes. In these classes, he’s sometimes able to incorporate his love for music into open-ended activities and projects. 

Last semester, Zach was able to combine his AP Literature and Composition class with his love of music, creating digital music that represented the tone and themes of a free-choice book. And he’s discovered more than his favorite tunes to play through band. Zach loves the ability the band has given him to play consistently and has cherished the friends he made through the program. Next year, he plans on extending his musical education by studying music at the University of Central Missouri. 

And his parents are his inspiration for everything. “I admire my parents because they never let me give up,” Zach said.