Zands gained a first class degree in orchestral percussion from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama where he was also awarded a Concert Recital Diploma. He is now there as an Artist in Residence with the percussion quartet 'Sankorfa'.
A love of percussion from different cultures developed when Zands was taught by Bosco D'Oliveira. This took him to the world's leading contemporary music school, Boston's Berklee College on a hand percussion scholarship. He has had the privilege of playing with Afro-Caribbean and South American artists such as Victor Mendoza, Bebo Valdes, Eguie Castrillo and the Samba group BatukAxe. As well as touring to South America, he has spent time studying the congas in Havana.
Zands loves to teach! Along with teaching his 25 regular private students and giving regular workshops on world music, he also directs the Guildhall samba and salsa ensembles. His education business 'Samba Sessions' is the recipient of the Deutsche Bank Award. Highlights of 2009 include a run at the National Theatre and tours and recording with the composer Karl Jenkins. He has also recently performed at Glastonbury, Shepherd's Bush Empire and festivals in Holland, Germany and Poland with the band 'Peyoti for President'.
