Zac Pulak

Zac Pulak’s enthusiasm for performing and the music he brings to audiences of all ages is boundless. The Ottawa-based percussionist has gathered awards, accolades, and a steady stream of invitations and commissions, with the CBC declaring  Zac one of Canada’s “30 Hot Canadian Classical Musicians Under 30”. He has also been called “truly virtuosic and intense” (Confluence Concerts) and “above all, a melodist” (The WholeNote).  

Recognized as “one of Ottawa’s most dynamic musicians” (CBC), Zac loves collaborating with other musicians. As a freelance percussionist, Zac performs with the National Arts Centre Orchestra and the symphony orchestras of Ottawa, Thunder Bay, and Kingston. Zac has also lent his sound to performances with artists and ensembles such as the Gryphon Trio, Bennewitz Quartet, theremin virtuoso Thorwald Jorgensen, soprano Wallis Giunta, and more. 

The piano/percussion duo SHHH!! Ensemble is Zac’s main squeeze. Together with his partner Edana Higham they explore sonic worlds through a myriad of percussion instruments and piano. Working closely with composers such as Kelly-Marie Murphy, Harry Stafylakis, Monica Pearce, and Jocelyn Morlock, and others, they love to share the wonder of beautiful new sounds. SHHH!! Ensemble has released two albums to date: their debut album Meanwhile  (2022, Analekta) was nominated for the East Coast Music Award’s “Classical Recording of the Year”, and SHHH!!’s sophomore album An Auditory Survey of the Last Days of the Holocene  (2023, Leaf Music) received a five-star rating by La Scena Musicale with them calling the project a “masterpiece” and “a much-needed reminder of the healthy world we’re all working toward”. SHHH!! has toured extensively across Canada, appearing at festivals such as New Works Calgary, Tuckamore Chamber Music Festival (Newfoundland), La Société de musique contemporaine du Québec (Montreal), Ottawa Chamberfest, GroundSwell (Winnipeg), and numerous others.