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The American baritone, Zachary Fletcher, is a singer, chaplain, writer, & autist with a voice. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree magna cum laude in Classical Languages & Literature (2011-2015) with Secondary field (minor) in Linguistics from Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He then studied at Studied at Yale Institute of Sacred Music; and studied Anglican Studies at Yale Divinity School, and obtained Master of Divinity (2015-2018). He has lived up and down the Northeast Corridor of the USA for most of his life, and traveled to 30+ countries as an ensemble musician. New York City is home.
Zachary Fletcher has wide-ranging expertise as a pro ensemble singer and baritone soloist, especially in the realm of early music and contemporary classical, but also jazz and musical theater. He sings alone and in groups. He is a fluent sight-reader with absolute pitch, can learn music instantly, and can sing in any language. Formed in traditional Anglican church music from an early age, he had his Carnegie Hall debut in 2006 as a child soloist, and continued to sing as an adult in premier ensembles such as Yale Schola Cantorum. Meanwhile, in 2015 he was diagnosed with Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD) by renowned voice therapist Dr. Anat Keidar. Common among ensemble singers, this vocal pathology, also known as “locked larynx,” was inhibiting his ability to sustain classical vocal technique. Years of study and consultation with singers like Frank Kelley, Sherezade Panthaki, James Taylor, and Paul Laurence Fletcher - as well as lessons in Alexander Technique with Rachel Bernsen - had given him insight into both his vocal potential and the depth of his vocal trouble. However, in 2021, after isolating with COVID-19, and newly aware of how autism was impacting his vocal coordination, I finally “unlocked” his voice. After 3 years as Staff singer in FAPC Chamber Choir at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church (September 2019-September 2022), he joined in September 2022 the Choir of St. Luke in the Fields in Greenwich Village.
Zachary Fletcher has worked as chaplain resident at The Mount Sinai Hospital in New York (July 2018-July 2019); Chaplain resident at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital in New York (August 2019-August 2020); Chaplain at The Mount Sinai Hospital in New York (since December 2021). He writes and speaks about his experience in the world, faith, and the present evil age. He tells his story in order to combat harmful stereotypes about autism, and to normalize neurodiverse perspectives. His blog, “thoughts,” helps him achieve these goals. His dual formation as a Christian minister and interfaith hospital chaplain equips him to help people of diverse backgrounds discover their unique voice, internal resources, and eternal value. |
