Paul Zafer is the Concertmaster of the Chicago Sinfonietta, a member of the Chicago Philharmonic, and the Peninsula Music Festival Orchestra in Wisconsin. He is currently on the faculty of Wheaton College, and Camp Musical des Laurentides in Quebec, Canada. Zafer is a chamber music coach for the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Music Institute of Chicago Academy as well as an orchestral coach for the Orchestras at DePaul University.
A native Canadian, Zafer made his solo debut with the Calgary Philharmonic at age 14. He also has appeared as featured soloist with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Joffrey Ballet of Chicago and the Chicago Sinfonietta, and most recently in March 2019.
Zafer has played violin in a wide range of ensembles. He has performed as concertmaster with Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, Peninsula Music Festival, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, Lincoln Symphony of Nebraska, Elgin Symphony, Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Lion King National Tour. He has also played with the English Chamber Orchestra, Milwaukee Symphony, Music of the Baroque, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Santa Fe Opera, Canadian Opera Company and the National Ballet of Canada.
In addition to performing, Zafer has worked with student musicians as a private instructor, coach, and mentor. He has coached ensembles at North Park University, CCPA-Roosevelt University, Royal Conservatory of Music and the University of Toronto, and has given Masterclasses at Stanford University, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Missouri–St. Louis, Northern Illinois University and the Rockford Music Academy. He has taught at North Park University, DePaul Community Music Division and the Birch Creek Summer Music Camp.
Zafer earned an Artist Diploma from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, a Bachelor of Music in Performance from the University of Toronto, and a Masters of Music from Northern Illinois University. He and his wife Betty Lewis reside in Wilmette, Illinois.
