S. Shade Zajac is a freelance conductor, composer and cellist. He is the Principal Conductor and Music Director of both the Genesee Symphony Orchestra and the Finger Lakes Symphony Orchestra. He was appointed to these positions in the Spring of 2016 and 2017, respectively. After appearing as a guest conductor in 2019 and 2020, Mr. Zajac was chosen to be the next Conductor and Music Director for the Orchard Park Symphony Orchestra. 

Mr. Zajac was a student of Professor Nancy Strelau and has conducted the Nazareth College Chamber Orchestra, Nazareth College Symphony Orchestra and the OpusWerkes No.2  as well as her orchestra, the Greater Rochester Women’s Philharmonic. Mr Zajac was awarded the Paul Vermel 2015-2016 Apprenticeship with the Northwest Symphony Orchestra in Chicago, working with Maestro Kim Diehnelt. In June of 2026, Mr. Zajac participated in the Adrian Gnam International Conducting Workshop and Competition where he won 2nd prize. He has also participated in several conducting workshops all over the world working with orchestras such as the Orchestra Filarmonica Ettore Pozzoli, Arkansas Symphony, Baltimore Chamber Orchestra and studying with conductors such as Jorman Panul, John Farrer Markand Thakar, Arthur Fagen and Neal Stulberg to name a few.

Mr. Zajac has collaborated with many world renown soloists such as Philadelphia Orchestra Concertmaster David Kim, Flutist Carol Wincenc, and Grammy Award Winning Pianist Jeffery Beigel to name a few. He conducts a wide variety of repertoire placing emphasis on standard works alongside more recent composers. 

Mr. Zajac is founder of the Seneca Summer Music Festival and Orchestra, providing events that include chamber music and orchestra performances. Emphasis is placed on raising funds for charities and offering classical music to surrounding communities in upstate New York. In 2018, the Genesee Symphony Orchestra performed a special concert as part of the festival. The Summer of 2025 marked 10 years of the festival. 

As a cellist, Mr. Zajac performs chamber and solo performances frequently and was a two time winner of the Nazareth College Concerto Competition. He is the Assistant Principal Cellist of the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes and has also performed with the Glimmerglass Opera Festival and the Albany Symphony.  Shade is also an accomplished drummer, recording and performing in a rock band called “The Third Half”. 

A prolific composer, Mr Zajac has written music orchestras, solo instruments and chamber music groups. His most recent works include his harp concerto titled “I Am the Lizard King” which was premiered by the Genesee Symphony and international harpist Rosanna Moore in May of 2026. The 2026/2027 season will see the world premiers of his Violin Concerto, and “The Feeling Infinite" for violin, viola, cello, and flute.