Long Biography:

Liam Ritz (b. 1996) is a Canadian composer based in Toronto, Ontario. His music is characterized by its eclectic and diverse influences, drawing from popular music, jazz, visual arts, literature, dance, and theatre. In recent years, Ritz's compositions have delved into themes of memory and place, integrating references and quotations from various artistic forms to create multi-layered contextual meanings.

Ritz has collaborated with prominent ensembles, including the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Talea Ensemble, and the National Youth Orchestra of Canada. His work has also brought him into partnership with acclaimed performers such as Gemma New, Cameron Crozman, Etsuko Kimura, and Joseph Johnson, among others.

His compositions have been showcased at renowned festivals and workshops across North America, including the Bowdoin International Music Festival (Brunswick, Maine), Winnipeg New Music Festival (Winnipeg, MB), National Youth Orchestra of Canada's Emerging Composer Mentorship Program (Kingston, ON), Orford Music Academy (Orford, QC), Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra's What Next Festival (Hamilton, ON), University of Toronto's New Music Festival (Toronto, ON), Scotia Festival of Music (Halifax, NS), and the Canadian Contemporary Music Workshop (Toronto, ON). Ritz's works are frequently programmed in solo and chamber recitals, with past performances in Canada, the United States, Italy, Finland, Argentina, and Japan.

Recently named one of CBC’s “30 hot Canadian Classical Musicians under 30”, Ritz's work has been recognized with seven SOCAN Foundation Young Composers Awards, a Prix Artistique from Jeunesses Musicales Canada: Concours Do Mi Si La Do Ré, and a 2020 City of Hamilton Arts Award. His artistic endeavors have received support from the Toronto Arts Council, Ontario Arts Council, Canada Council for the Arts, RBC Emerging Artists Project, and SOCAN Foundation. Notably, he was selected for the inaugural Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra Composer Fellowship Program (2018/2019) and has participated in prestigious programs such as the Winnipeg New Music Festival's Composers Institute (2022/23) and the Bowdoin International Music Festival's Composition Program (2024).

Liam Ritz holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Toronto, where he studied composition under Abigail Richardson-Schulte. He has furthered his education through private composition studies and masterclasses with esteemed composers including Tania León, Dai Fujikura, Pēteris Vasks, Kalevi Aho, Robin de Raaff, Ana Sokolović, Jean Lesage, Derek Bermel, Haralabos (Harry) Stafylakis, and Kelly-Marie Murphy. Ritz currently serves as the RBC Affiliate Composer of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra for the 2024/25 and 2025/26 seasons. He is also an Affiliate Composer of the Canadian Music Centre and member of the Canadian League of Composers.

Short Biography:

Liam Ritz (b. 1996) is a Canadian composer based in Toronto, Ontario. Ritz has collaborated with musicians and ensembles including the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, National Youth Orchestra of Canada, Gemma New, Etsuko Kimura, Cameron Crozman, and more. His works have been performed across Canada, as well as in the United States, Italy, Finland, Argentina, and Japan. Recently named one of CBC’s “30 hot Canadian Classical Musicians under 30”, Ritz has received seven SOCAN Foundation Young Composers Awards, a City of Hamilton Arts Award, and has been selected for prestigious programs including the inaugural Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra’s Composer Fellowship Program (2018/2019), the Winnipeg New Music Festival: Composers Institute, and the Bowdoin International Music Festival: Composition Program. A graduate of the University of Toronto, Ritz's compositions have been supported by organizations such as the Toronto Arts Council, Ontario Arts Council, Canada Council for the Arts, the RBC Emerging Artists Project, and the SOCAN Foundation. Ritz currently serves as the RBC Affiliate Composer of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra for the 2024/25 and 2025/26 seasons.

[updated: August 2024]

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