Zechariah Hilliard

Biography

School/Class: Northgate High School, Class of 2028
ASO Instructor: Andrew Burhans
Other Musical Affiliations: West Georgia Winds
Summer Camps: University of Georgia Summer Music Camp

Zechariah Hilliard is a French hornist at Northgate High School (Class of 2028) in Newnan, Georgia, where he maintains a 4.0 GPA. Zechariah has been playing the French horn for five years and joined the Talent Development Program in fall of 2025. He studies with Andrew Burhans of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

Recently, Zechariah earned first-chair positions in the GMEA All-State Band (9th-10th grade division) and the UGA JanFest Honor Wind Symphony. He serves as principal horn for the West Georgia Winds and has been the first chair in the Northgate School Wind Ensemble throughout his high school career. Zechariah has consistently earned superior ratings in Solo and Ensemble competitions and has been recognized with three Director's Awards (2022, 2023, 2024). He was named Most Outstanding Performer in his school’s Wind Ensemble in 2025.

His musical journey includes leadership positions and ensembles at the county, district, and state levels. In addition to his concert work, Zechariah served as mellophone section leader for the Northgate Viking Marching Band in 10th grade and was featured as a soloist for the 2025 marching season. He also plays trumpet in Northgate's jazz band.

Zechariah is currently in the selection process for the Georgia Governor's Honor Program, is an active member of his High School Beta Club and qualified as a district competitor in the 2023 Optimist Club Oratorial Speech Competition. Zechariah aspires to pursue a professional career as a horn player.