Former Oakland Avenue Charter teacher to perform at Oakland Heritage Day

For eight years, Kyle Zavada taught at Oakland Avenue Charter School as its music teacher. 

He was hired in 2017 to create a music program at the school, which he did happily. 

But a musician needs to play, too. So in 2025, he took a leap of faith and decided to pursue performing full-time.

Zavada will return to Oakland as the opening act of the 26th annual Heritage Day Saturday, Jan. 31. 

Zavada has had an affinity for music ever since he was a boy. He recalls learning about Native Americans and their primitive instruments in elementary school and having a “make-your-own-instrument” assignment, which ultimately led him to discover his passion for music, and more important, for the guitar. 

From then on, he would play air guitar all the time. 

Zavada even received an electronic guitar from Toys R Us one Christmas, after his father noticed his love for the instrument. He would play it nonstop, which only grew his love for music even more.  

Throughout his life, Zavada has been a part of many bands, touring the United States, releasing EPs and more. But he wanted an opportunity to inspire the youth, and Oakland is where he was able to accomplish that. 

“Since I had such an iconic childhood elementary experience, that’s what inspired me to want to be an elementary teacher,” he said. “I love that at the charter school, I was able to be the first person to introduce music and musical concepts to the kids.”

Luckily for him, OACS was looking to start a music program in 2017. 

“I had experience doing that, because in New York, there was a school that was affected by Hurricane Sandy; they were completely wiped out and they were starting from scratch,” he said. “So I created a program. … So when I started Oakland, I had a music classroom as the objective. My bigger goal was to try to create a band program because, obviously, that’s what I did in New York, and that’s my experience.” 

Today, though he no longer teaches music, he still is heavily involved with it. He performs multiple times throughout the week at various places, such as Disney Springs, Universal CityWalk, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tampa and more with his bands, including Lucky To Be and About Tuesday. 

He said he is extremely excited to play at Oakland Heritage Day, but most importantly, to see his former students. 

He said he took the time to get to know every student of his to show them he cares, and over time, that has translated to a special bond and unforgettable memories. 

“It’s a really wholesome experience because the Oakland students are there, so they’re like, ‘That’s my teachers up there,’” he said. “It warms my heart that they still are that excited to see me, you know? I just want to say to everyone that I’m grateful (to them for) helping me grow.” Zavada said he hopes to continue performing at Oakland Heritage Day. 

“They were family to me when I needed it,” he said. “So that’s why I’m very grateful to be a part of Heritage (Day), and I would love to continue to be.” 

Beyond Zavada’s performance, festival attendees can enjoy food trucks, arts and crafts vendors, educational animal demonstrations, batting cages, a Fun Bus, a mechanical alligator, Sean Holcomb’s performance as the main act and more.