The Italiano Orchestra provides an advanced full orchestra experience for student musicians who demonstrate exceptional performance skills. Primarily composed of high school students, the ensemble explores standard orchestral literature to prepare students for musical pursuits at the collegiate and professional levels. Students in this ensemble require a high degree of personal dedication and consistent hard work from every musician.
MEET the conductor
Zach Mayer is a La Crosse-based music educator and double bassist. He is the Artistic Director and Italiano Orchestra Conductor with the La Crosse Area Youth Symphony Orchestras. Additionally, he teaches orchestra and modern band at Central High School in La Crosse.
As an educator, Zach strives to inspire and motivate students to become the best musicians and people they can be. He models his stance as a lifelong learner by being active in professional organizations such as the American String Teacher Association (ASTA), Wisconsin Music Education Association (WMEA), and the International Society of Bassists (ISB). In 2023, Zach presented at the ISB convention in Ann Arbor, Michigan with his bass mentor, Dr. Andrea Beckendorf. Zach is slated to present at the October 2026 WMEA conference in Madison, WI.
As a performer, Zach is an in-demand bassist who performs with a wide variety of ensembles in the La Crosse area. Zach holds a section double bass position with the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra. Beyond his orchestral commitments, Zach regularly performs with a variety of jazz musicians and a singer/songwriter group based in Decorah, Iowa.
Zach holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from Luther College, a master’s degree in education from the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse, and a master’s degree in Music Education from the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point.
La Crosse Area Youth Symphony Orchestras 