Joe Lanza

Joe Lanza has been the Concertmaster of London Symphonia and its forerunner, Orchestra London since 1987. He has been a regular soloist with the ensemble in every musical genre, and has also directed programs with his colleagues on numerous occasions.

Joe has appeared several times as the lead violinist of the Westben Festival Orchestra, and has been a concertmaster/mentor for many years at The National Academy Orchestra, a training program for young professionals which features guest concertmasters from Canada's finest orchestras.

A busy freelance musician across the region, Joe is particularly active on the period instrument scene in southern Ontario. In 2016, he served as one of four creative directors of Nota Bene Baroque Players in Kitchener. He is proud of and takes great satisfaction in being regularly engaged by Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra since 1996, including numerous recordings and tours around the world.

Joe is quite active in music education. He has taught both violin and baroque performance at Western University since 1995; last year, he was appointed coordinator of Western's Early Music Studio. Joe coaches chamber music at Forest City Talent Education, and has become increasingly active as a private teacher. In the last two years he has become a frequently sought after adjudicator for music festivals across Ontario.

Joe is married to London Symphonia oboist Jennifer Short and they are the proud parents of a multi-talented daughter. The family is ably herded by a Laika, a fine Shetland sheepdog.