Zahriya Zachary

Zahriya Zachary is an American contemporary Christian music singer, songwriter and worship leader. Known for her powerful vocal delivery and deeply authentic approach to worship, she first gained widespread recognition as a featured vocalist and collective member of Bethel Music. Her ability to blend soulful melodies with honest, faith-driven lyrics has quickly made her a standout voice in modern worship music.

Before launching her solo career, Zachary built a dedicated following through her moving live performances. Her music often draws heavily from her personal testimonies, particularly her journey of overcoming a twelve-year battle with depression. By sharing her raw experiences through song, she has cultivated a deep connection with listeners around the world.

Today, she balances her role within the Bethel Music collective with a growing and successful solo career, consistently releasing music that bridges contemporary Christian sounds with deeply personal storytelling.

Early Life and Background

Zahriya Zachary was born and raised in Spring, Texas.Unlike many artists who inherit a musical background from their parents, she did not grow up in a heavily musical family. However, her natural inclination toward music surfaced very early. At the age of six, she began taking lessons to learn how to play the piano. This early exposure to instrumentation laid the groundwork for her future musical endeavors, even though she did not begin singing or leading worship publicly until much later in her life.

Education

After completing her early education, Zachary enrolled at Texas Tech University, where she pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy. It was during her time in college that her path shifted toward music and ministry. While balancing her academic studies, she felt a strong spiritual calling to begin leading worship.She started volunteering as a vocalist on her local church’s worship team, using her time in college as a training ground to develop her voice and understand the dynamics of congregational leadership.

How Their Music Career Started

Zachary’s transition from a local church volunteer to a globally recognized worship leader happened rapidly. Her distinct tone and passionate delivery caught the attention of the renowned worship collective Bethel Music. In 2021, she officially joined the Bethel Music collective, a major milestone that introduced her voice to an international audience. Being part of the label gave her a prominent platform to write, record and perform alongside some of the most established names in Christian music.

Career and Breakthrough

Her major breakthrough arrived with the release of the song “Back to Life,” featured on Bethel Music’s highly successful 2021 live album Homecoming. Zachary led the track with a powerful vocal performance, but it was the spontaneous worship moment at the end of the song that truly resonated with listeners.During that live recording, she openly shared her testimony of finding healing after a twelve-year struggle with depression. The authentic moment went viral within Christian music circles, catapulting her into the spotlight and establishing her as one of the most compelling new voices in the genre.

Notable Songs and Albums

Following the massive success of “Back to Life,” Zachary continued to lend her voice to significant Bethel Music releases. She delivered memorable vocal performances on tracks like “Surrounded By Holy” and “If The Lord,” which was featured on the 2025 live album We Must Respond.She also led a powerful rendition of “Hymn of Heaven” alongside Brian Johnson.As a solo artist, she has expanded her discography with well-received singles including “Better Than I Thought,” “Shine On Me,” “Stay,” and “Simple Ways”.

Major Collaborations

Since stepping into the music industry, Zachary has actively collaborated with a variety of artists across the Christian music spectrum. Beyond her extensive work with the Bethel Music collective, she has recorded with contemporary artists such as Patrick Mayberry on the track “Lead On Good Shepherd”. She also crossed over into the Christian hip hop space by collaborating with the rapper Hulvey on the song “SKY PRIORITIE$”, showcasing her versatility as a vocalist capable of adapting to different musical styles.

Current Career / Recent Activities

Zahriya Zachary remains highly active in both the recording studio and on the touring circuit. She continues to travel and lead worship at major Christian conferences, festivals and church events across the United States. In addition to her ongoing commitments with Bethel Music, she has placed a strong focus on building her solo catalog. With recent solo singles like “Stay” released in 2026, she continues to release fresh, inspiring music while connecting with a growing global fanbase.