At the early age of 6, Zhach learned the basics of coordination, technique, and reading from his dad, who was also a drummer, on his 70's Ludwig drum kit. He continued to hone his craft and gain confidence performing in front of an audience throughout Elementary, Middle, and High School in the marching and concert bands. During his high school years, Zhach developed a knack for teaching, as he wou...
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At the early age of 6, Zhach learned the basics of coordination, technique, and reading from his dad, who was also a drummer, on his 70's Ludwig drum kit. He continued to hone his craft and gain confidence performing in front of an audience throughout Elementary, Middle, and High School in the marching and concert bands. During his high school years, Zhach developed a knack for teaching, as he would normally be assigned to assist the rest of the drum section with learning the material.
His first paid gigs began at the age of 15, when Kelsch started playing in the local bar/club scene and recording in local studios around Northeastern Pennsylvania. In 2006, his professional recording/touring career began when he co-wrote and recorded drums for Fighting Zero's critically-acclaimed self-titled album at Radiostar Studios in Weed, CA with Grammy Award-winning producer, Sylvia Massy Shivy (Tool, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tom Petty, Johnny Cash, Prince). The album was engineered by Jim Wood (Dishwalla) and mastered by John Cuniberti (Aerosmith, Dave Mathews Band, Grateful Dead). The band shared the stage with Breaking Benjamin, Flyleaf, and several others before completing it's sophomore album “Beautiful War: Part I,” also co-written and recorded by Kelsch this time at Soundmine Recording in the Pocono Mountains with producer Dan Malsch (The Misfits, Tantric, Four Year Strong.)





A Penn State graduate with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management and Marketing, Zhach continued to record and tour with several bands and artists throughout college. A few highlights include a performance at the now legendary NYC club C.B.G.B.'s, with metal band, IDOLEYEZ; a North American and Canadian tour with Experimental/Progressive rock act, A J A R; a month-long promotional tour sponsored by FYE and an appearance at The Hollywood Music Awards to accept the award for Best Female Vocal Performance with pop artist, Emii; and a 6-month stint filling the drum chair for OurAfter, while drummer, Chad Szeliga, toured with Breaking Benjamin & Black Label Society.
Following college, Kelsch split his time between writing, recording, and touring with two signed/nationally distributed rock acts at the same time; DIVE and Don't Panic. He also began teaching drum set privately at Gallucci Music School in Scranton, PA. With DIVE, Kelsch co-wrote and recorded the band's sophomore album, 'Picture Perfect,' which was recorded at the legendary 4th Street Recording Studio in Santa Monica, CA with producer Jim Wood (Incubus, No Doubt, Something Corporate) and released/distributed nationally by PhaseOne/MadRock Records/Sony RED. The band was the first to ever perform at the new Meadowlands/Giants Stadium opening for Bon Jovi in 2011. They also shared the stage with Stone Temple Pilots, Alice in Chains, Three Days Grace, and performed several dates on Vans Warped Tour. Before leaving the band, Zhach co-wrote and recorded 'The Acoustic EP' at AM Studios in NYC and performed live with notable bass players Brian Weaver (We Are Harlot, Sebastian Bach, Paramore) and J3 (Sevendust, Methods of Mayhem, Lita Ford.)
With Don't Panic, Zhach recorded 'My Fair-weather Friend' and 'Why the Fifties Were Better," which were recorded at Yukonotron Studios in the Pocono Mountains, produced by Dave Cutrone (Motionless in White, Split Fifty), and released/distributed nationally by Masquerade/Universal Records. He joined the band on 2 tours supporting The Ataris, a tour supporting Trust Company and a one-month headlining tour. Kelsch also recorded 'The Fix EP' with the band, which was released independently following his departure.
In the summer of 2011, Kelsch landed the gig with one of the country's top touring party bands, Kristen & The Noise. The band plays over 100 shows a year at premier beach, casino, and other vacation resorts around the east coast; as well as occasional fly-dates, festival appearances, corporate parties, and weddings. Kelsch has performed with the band at corporate parties for the Philadelphia Eagles, Under Armour, Live Nation, House of Blues, Jameson Whiskey, ABSOLUT Vodka, LivingSocial.com, and Kirby Vacuum Company, among others. He has performed live with the band on several national broadcasts of Comcast Sportsnet and shared the stage with Nils Lofgren (guitarist of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band), Philip Doron Bailey Jr. (Lead Vocalist of Earth, Wind, & Fire), JD Deservio (bassist of Black Label Society), and Travis Tucker (American Idol Season 3 finalist). The band has shared the bill with global and national artists such as Pitbull, One Republic, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Florida-Georgia Line, Chevelle, Young The Giant, and many others.
While maintaining a busy schedule with Kristen & The Noise, Zhach keeps instruction, writing and recording a integral part of his career. He continues to keep a schedule of nearly 20 students a week between Act Out Music School in Taylor, PA and Music & Arts in Marlton, NJ as well as the occasional private/group lessons, workshops, and clinics while on the road. Additionally, Zhach keeps his students motivated and inspired by hosting several drum clinics and educational events featuring world class drummers such as Marko Djordjevic (Matt Garrison, Wayne Krantz), Jason Sutter (Marilyn Manson, Foreigner, Chris Cornell), Chris Pennie (Coheed & Cambria, Dillinger Escape Plan), Jim Riley (Rascal Flatts), and Poogie Bell (Chaka Khan, Roberta Flack, Stanley Clark.)
Recent writing/recording projects include the EP, A Good Problem to Have with Tim Farley (former vocalist of Panacea) that was recorded at Saturation Acres in Scranton, PA with producer, Bret Alexander (Breaking Benjamin, The Badless, MIZ); a new full-length album with AJAR recorded at Soundmine Recording in the Pocono Mountains with producer, Dan Malsch (The Misfits, Tantric, Four Year Strong), and a full-length album, Three Feet From Gold, with the Dallas, TX-based rock band, The Liberty Underground; which was Kelsch's first remote recording session from his home studio in New Jersey. He hopes to continue to inspire his students, make crowds dance, push himself creatively and musically, as well as to continue growing in each facet of his career for many years to come.

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