Joseph Lanza

Joseph Lanza is a Lecturer and Director of the Early Music Studio at the Don Wright Faculty of Music, University of Western Ontario. He previously served as Concertmaster of Orchestra London for over 25 years, performing solo works across diverse concert series. A dedicated chamber musician, he has performed extensively in small ensembles in London, Toronto, and internationally. His specialization in 17th- and 18th-century music led to mastery of period instruments, including Baroque violin under mentors like Jeanne Lamon and Jaap Schroder. He balances performance with teaching private lessons and university-level classes.

Lanza's family background includes a legacy in orchestral music, having studied violin from age 7 with his father and renowned concertmasters like William de Pasquale and Joseph Silverstein. He is married to Orchestra London oboist Jennifer Short, with whom he shares a daughter, Heather, and a Shetland sheepdog, Fergus.

His research interests focus on historical performance practices, particularly in Baroque violin, and he has collaborated with ensembles such as Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and Opera Atelier, with notable recordings and international tours.