Long Biography:

Liam Ritz (b. 1996) is a Canadian composer based in Toronto, Ontario. His music is characterized by its eclectic influences, often drawing inspiration from other mediums such as the visual arts, literature, and dance. Ritz's compositions have also explored themes of memory and place, frequently incorporating references and quotations from other artistic sources. He currently serves as Affiliate Composer of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.

Ritz has collaborated with ensembles including the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Ensemble Paramirabo, Talea Ensemble, and the National Youth Orchestra of Canada. His work has also brought him into partnership with acclaimed performers such as Gustavo Gimeno, Gemma New, Hannu Lintu, Cameron Crozman, and Etsuko Kimura. His works have been presented at festivals and concert series throughout Canada and internationally, with performances in the United States, Italy, Finland, Argentina, and Japan.

Named one of CBC’s “30 Hot Canadian Classical Musicians Under 30”, Ritz has received numerous awards and distinctions, including First Prize at the 2026 Graham Sommer Competition for Young Composers, eight SOCAN Foundation Young Composers Awards, a Prix Artistique from Jeunesses Musicales Canada: Concours Do Mi Si La Do Ré, and a City of Hamilton Arts Award. He was selected for the inaugural Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra Composer Fellowship Program (2018–2019), and has participated in programs such as the Winnipeg New Music Festival's Composers Institute (2022–23), the Bowdoin International Music Festival's Composition Program (2024), and the NYO/SOCAN Composer Mentorship Program (2026). His work has also received support from the Toronto Arts Council, Ontario Arts Council, Canada Council for the Arts, RBC Emerging Artists Project, and SOCAN Foundation.

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 Kalevi Aho, Derek Bermel, Dai Fujikura, Tania León, Jean Lesage, Kelly-Marie Murphy, Robin de Raaff, Ana Sokolović, Haralabos (Harry) Stafylakis, and Pēteris Vasks. He is also an Affiliate Composer of the Canadian Music Centre and a member of the Canadian League of Composers.

Short Biography:

Liam Ritz (b. 1996) is a Canadian composer based in Toronto, Ontario, currently serving as Affiliate Composer of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (2024–2027). He has collaborated with ensembles including the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, National Youth Orchestra of Canada, Talea Ensemble, and Ensemble Paramirabo, as well as conductors Gustavo Gimeno, Gemma New, Hannu Lintu, Peter Oundjian, and Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser. His works have been performed across Canada and internationally, including the United States, Italy, Finland, Argentina, and Japan.

Named one of CBC’s “30 Hot Canadian Classical Musicians Under 30,” Ritz has received First Prize at the 2026 Graham Sommer Competition for Young Composers, eight SOCAN Foundation Young Composers Awards, and a City of Hamilton Arts Award. He has also participated in programs such as the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra Composer Fellowship Program (2018–2019), Winnipeg New Music Festival's Composers Institute (2022–23), the Bowdoin International Music Festival's Composition Program (2024), and the National Youth Orchestra of Canada/SOCAN Composer Mentorship Program (2026).

[updated: October 2026]

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