Alumni Spotlight: Zach Finnegan Returns to UWSP, Rejoining the Jazz Band and Jazz Ensemble

Monday, Oct. 27, UW-Stevens Point alumnus Zach Finnegan performed with the UWSP Jazz Ensemble during its Jazz Band and Jazz Ensemble Concert.

Finnegan graduated from UWSP in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in music education and jazz performance. He then pursued a master’s degree in jazz performance at Indiana University.

Finnegan performed several of his original compositions with the Jazz Ensemble, including “Guidance and Gratitude,” which was released in 2024. Other pieces he composed and performed included “Perseverance,” “The Movement” and “Words from the Blues.”

Finnegan said guest performers and speakers provide valuable opportunities for UWSP students to grow and learn, as he did during his time at the university. As a student, Finnegan gained experience organizing festivals, hosting jazz jam sessions on campus and learning business techniques early in his college career.

Finnegan said, “I just wanted to play. I didn’t know what I wanted. I didn’t know where it was going to take me.”

Finnegan is now a freelance musician who has performed with five-time Grammy Award winner Michael Bublé’s band since 2022.

In addition, to performing, Finnegan is also a composer, recording artist and helps build other musicians’ websites.  

Finnegan said UWSP served as a foundation for his career, allowing him to develop the skills necessary to pursue professional music opportunities.

“It is the foundation of building skills that allows you to make money down the road,” Finnegan said. “Be selfish because you’re paying for this experience, you’re paying to build your skills, and so you have to knock on professors’ doors and talk to peers. Everyone has something to offer.”

His time at UWSP allowed him to gain experience and learn from mistakes before entering the professional music industry.  

“I know I’m not the best trumpet player in Chicago,” Finnegan said. “I have no problem saying that because what keeps you relevant is all these other aspects of professionalism.”

During his time at UWSP, Finnegan said the connections he made with professors, particularly Brent Turney, and the Jazz Society president helped him develop professional relationships.

“I’ve been here 20 years, and this is my 20th year at UWSP. I’ve found some of the most amazing students at this institution,” said Brent Turney, director of jazz studies. Turney also teaches applied trumpet, music entrepreneurship and other courses.

“But every once in a while, we’ve had a truly special student who just absorbs everything that we give them and goes on to do other amazing things. When I met Zach, I knew he was destined for greatness,” Turney said

News Reporter

Aholm452@uwsp.edu 

Abigail Holmes