Zac Selissen is a Brooklyn based composer, multi-instrumentalist, and teaching artist who actively collaborates across multiple genres and visual mediums. 

Most recently, Zac launched his solo live project, States of Being. Pushing the limits of how many elements one person can control live, both sonically and visually, the show is an experiential blending of intimate EDM, minimalist classical, and ambient music, with a sound reactive lighting design. His performance seamlessly marries behind-the-scenes technical wizardry with multi-layered synthesizer, piano, and electric guitar performances, all without the use of loops or pre-recorded samples.

Zac feels most at home when composing film scores. Drawn to thrillers and sci-fi, his scores often intertwine with the sound design, becoming part of the film’s DNA. A major career highlight was working on A24’s Dicks: The Musical, directed by Larry Charles. Films he’s scored have shown at TIFF, Bowery Film Festival, DocNYC, FHIFF, and Film Invasion LA.

In 2020, Zac began composing a library of production music, and his music appears on over 300 episodes of network tv. Recent credits include NFL on CBS, Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, General Hospital, Impact X, 20/20, Dateline, The View, and Good Morning America. One of Hoda Kotb’s top curated experts in the field of wellness, he created Joy101’s catalog of music tracks centered around sleep and focus. He contributes to In The Groove Music and 4 Elements Music libraries.

Growing up in Green Bay, WI, he and his brother developed a love of music and dance from an early age. After high school, Zac traveled west to SF to pursue music while his brother traveled east to NYC for a career in dance. When Zac moved to NYC they began a decade long collaboration with Zac composing music for his brother’s modern dance company, Barkin/Selissen Project. Their collaborations include Skyfire, Emic Flux, Accidental Suite, and The Titles Project, and have been showcased at 92Y, New Victory Theater, Bryant Park, Fotografiska, Byrdcliffe Theater, and West End Theater.

Zac is also an award-winning guitarist and arranger. With guitarist Mike Roberts, he formed Duo Symphonious, and was awarded the Shenson Award for their original adaptation of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Ballet, and the Certificate of Honor by Mayor Gavin Newsom for their performance at San Francisco City Hall. As a member of the tango ensemble, Tangonero, he was awarded the Shenson Award for their original stage production, Malena. As a musical theater pit musician, he has played productions of Hair, Death for Five Voices, and The Troupe. He also works as a sideman guitarist for indie artists, having performed at notable NYC venues Pianos, Jalopy Theater, and Rockwood Music Hall. 

Zac is currently a Teaching Artist with Trinity Church NYC where he teaches over 200 kids each week in underserved elementary schools in Manhattan. His programs include guitar, ukulele, keyboard, songwriting, choir, and music production. On Saturdays, he teaches a free guitar class at Orphan Guitars in his neighborhood, and has a small roster of fantastic private students.

He lives in Carroll Gardens with his wife, son and pup.