Born in Monroe Louisiana and migrating to the city of Chicago, Illinois. Zachary began his musical journey at the tender age of ten. Zachary’s training was helmed by some of Chicago’s finest in the area of choral, church, and vocal music. He has done extensive training in voice pedagogy at Roosevelt University/Chicago Musical College, under the guidance of Mr. Robert Long and Ms. Ruth Ann Bishop.

In 1998 and 2002, he was the recipient of the Musicianship and Creativity Award from Thurston G. Frazier Memorial Chorale. His compositions and arrangements have been featured at The Gospel Music Workshop of America and have allowed him the honor of working with some of the countries most talented and gifted musicians.

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From 2000 up until 2013, Zachary served as Praise Team Leader, Director of Children’s Music, and Director of Music at churches throughout the Chicagoland area. His latest joy is working with children’s voices at Lifeline Church in Cicero, Illinois, where he is a current partner. Over the last ten years, Zachary has devoted and committed the necessary tools in developing and training children’s voices. He believes all children should be given the opportunity to learn and embrace the “art of singing”.

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Zachary's concentration in providing high-quality discipline, excellence, and training in church music has allowed him to explore writing for the entire music ministry. Additionally, he is dedicated to the enrichment of all lives through competent teaching and instruction by building relationships for the advancement of God's Kingdom.

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Not only is Mr. Lavender an author. He has written and published music ranging from choral, children, and instrumental. His current work, “Bethlehem’s Joy", will be premiering in the fall/winter of 2016. He also desires to present his latest work, entitled, “The Perfect Lamb” a piece written for the Resurrection Season. To his credit, Zachary has shared the stage with Felicia Coleman-Evans, Milas Armor, and jazz legend, Phil Cohran. He has performed tenor solo works such as George Frederic Handel's "Messiah", "Judas Maccabeus" Theodore Dubois, "The Seven Last Words of Christ". He has also had the privilege of singing with prominent choirs such as Love Enlightenment Chorale, Delegation for Christ, The Apollo Chorus, Community Renewal Chorus, and Chicago Community Chorus. 

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Currently, Zachary is the President and CEO  of  “Set Apart, Fresh Start” founded in 2018. This organization works with individuals who desire to be delivered from homosexuality and live according to God's Word. As a self-publisher, Zachary has been able to leverage his works across the country into music departments of varying sizes and chorus makeup. He is also the author of “Victim of Circumstance”; his autobiography, “In 5 Days”; an eight-year journey of dialysis leading to his kidney transplant, and his latest publication, “An Audience of One-The Seriousness of Worship.”

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Throughout his 49 year tenure as a church musician, Zachary has built a reputation for developing singers and musicians for the perfecting of the church music ministry. He is passionate about the needs and objectives of church music and the future generation of singers and musicians. He specializes in bringing the talent and gift of the musician to the forefront and allowing them to minister at their fullest capacity.

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Zachary has continued to hone his skills as a composer, conductor, teacher, and musician and he counts it all joy, honor, and privilege to be chosen by God to help lead the church in music "Excellence".