The Lebanese American crooner who took a chance on passion

When singer Zak Azoury Houillion was young, Christmas used to feel so special. “Waking up, coming down the stairs to see the tree, my parents smiling, and my two brothers, opening presents, going to church on Christmas Eve. I have written a song to my mom about the mystery of not knowing she was doing all the Santa shenanigans”. That is his most treasured Christmas memory.

Think old time charm, the crooner who sways hearts and ignites passions with his words and melody, that is the allure of singer Zak Azoury. The Lebanese American charmer has gained a loyal following on Instagram because of his musical renditions. He took the time while on a ski vacation with his family in Colorado to speak with The Beiruter.

Instagram stardom

Like many artists who found an audience online, Zak has translated social media visibility into a fully-fledged live career. In terms of performing, he does private events and would like to expand to public concerts.

 

“It’s been a whirlwind, but I’m glad I’m doing something I want to do every day”, admits Zak, “Life is too short to halfway do something”.

Music was not always the obvious choice. He quit his full-time job in May to pursue his passion. Zak graduated from Georgia Tech with a Chemical Engineering degree and worked in specialty gas sales, chemicals for different research facilities, and for semiconductor manufacturing.

He still isn’t quite clear on what the scheme is per se. “I have no other plan than making music for the rest of my life”, says Zak. He started playing piano at age five, because his mom wanted him to, and stuck with it throughout high school, then gave it up to make ceramic artwork in college. In fact, his roommate played guitar frequently and got him into it. Then Covid happened and put him on the track he’s currently on. He began singing lessons, playing the guitar, bass guitar and took up the piano again.

A year ago, he was getting attention on social media and thought he may be able to do this full time. First, he gained recognition on TikTok and thought of making the transition to Instagram to grow his presence. He blew up when he started to look at the camera, sing and play on his charm.

Lebanese heritage

In 1949, his grandmother left Beirut for the states. A microbiologist, she’s one of the first women to study in the University of Texas where she married a French and Western European man. Zak himself has never stepped into Lebanon but hopes that will change. He is currently based in Dallas, Texas.

To be sure, growing up Lebanese has affected the person and artist he’s become. His mother doesn’t speak the language, and his grandparents tried to Americanize their children, so the Arabic language wasn’t passed on. His mother was, however, ingrained in the culture.

“She’s a great Lebanese cook, and we have a grape vine on the house”, says Zak.

His mother joined in on the conversation, in the warm, welcoming spirit that is unique to this part of the world, confirming she makes the traditional Warak Aarish dish. Her three siblings and delectable food gave him a taste of what it is to be Lebanese.

When asked if he imagines an artistic future with Lebanon in it, Zak professed that

the home base for his career is in the States, but he doesn’t rule out coming to Lebanon to take to the stage frequently. “Khalas, next year”, adds his mom enthusiastically, having visited herself nearly eighteen years ago for a family gathering. She would love for him to end up with a Lebanese girl often playing matchmaker to keep him tied to his roots.

Music as balm

Speaking of feelings, Zak hopes people carry with them a sense of peace after hearing him perform. “I try to sing uplifting tunes. Everyone has a different feeling they want to get out of music. For me, it’s Peace and Happiness. This is what I want people to feel”, says Zak.  His personal preferences are classical, jazz, light pop and country music.

Zak’s definition of success shifted when he quit his job, away from numbers and recognition. He had a decent paying job. “I figure if I could do what I wanted every day, and do it well, that’s success in and of itself”, professes Zak. It was a big decision, leaving his degree for a while and hopefully forever.

At present, he is doing his own music production. With a lot of songs planned for the next year, he has learnt all the technicalities, mixing, balancing and mastering music with the help of friends. It’s not easy to make it in music, especially since he’s totally independent, with no record label.

There’s a lot of uncertainty. “You never know what you’re going to find out of the woodwork”, says Zak. He is certain nonetheless of his path in the foreseeable future, releasing a lot of his original music, having already written twenty songs for next year.

Zak has just come out with his first original album on his birthday September 29th, 2025, fourteen songs written by him, and a deluxe Christmas album, with another fourteen songs.

Making music, performing, and staying consistent with social media are his targets for 2026. The outcome of the work he can’t control, what gives him reassurance regardless is that consistency always pays off. Rooted in Dallas, Zak has set his sights on visiting and performing in Lebanon to explore his heritage and quench his curiosity.