The composer and choirmaster Donatas Zakaras (b. 1979) has graduated from the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre, obtaining a Master's degree in choral conducting (the class of Česlovas Radžiūnas) in 2003, a Bachelor's degree in composition in 2005, and a Master's degree in composition (the class of Osvaldas Balakauskas) in 2009. He has participated in the Europa Chor Akademie (Germany), was invited to the Internationale Bachakademie Stuttgart (Germany) for the three times.
Since 2003 Donatas Zakaras has been singing in the Vilnius Municipal Choir, Jauna Muzika. Since 2006 he has been working as a senior specialist at the Music Department of the Lithuanian Folk Culture Centre.
His compositions are eagerly performed in the Festivals of Songs in Lithuania, international competitions and festivals (in Singapore, Austria, USA, Italy, Poland, Estonia). In 2010 the composer won the 2nd prize, in 2011 – the 1st prize at the competition of new choral works, organized by the Lithuanian Folk Culture Centre. He also writes music for drama performances, art installations, cartoons and musical shows for children, and is a prolific author of different arrangements.
Singing in choirs from his childhood, Donatas Zakaras is an expert of choral writing and the possibilities of a human voice. Therefore his work is distinguished by exceptional respect to a singer and his/her voice. Serene lyric mood, clear texture and tonal sound are characteristic of many of his compositions – sometimes spiced up with unusual timbral combinations, aleatoric and sonoristic effects, theatrical moments and excursions into postmodern humour.
