Joshua Ranz is a member of both the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and the Pacific Symphony. After holding the position of second clarinet for eight seasons with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Josh won the position of principal clarinet in 2008. During the past two seasons, Josh was acting principal, including on LACO’s recent European tour. In March, 2006 he played principal clarinet with the Pacific Symphony on their European tour. Josh has recorded with the Pacific Symphony and is active in the television and motion picture industry. Other live activities include playing with the New West, San Diego and Pasadena symphonies, the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the LA Opera.

Josh spends his summers performing with the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra in western New York, as well as in the Mainly Mozart festival in San Diego, CA. He has performed with Chamber Music Palisades, the Capitol Ensemble and numerous other chamber music programs throughout Southern California. Josh is on faculty at Pomona College, Biola University and Long Beach City College.

Before moving to Los Angeles in 1999, Josh was a member of the Honolulu and San Jose symphonies. He was a fellow and a faculty member of the Aspen Music School and Festival and a fellow at the Tanglewood Music Festival. He has played recitals at the International Clarinet Association Convention and has performed with the New York Woodwind Quintet at the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival.

Originally from New York, Josh attended Fiorella H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts. He went on to receive his bachelor’s degree at Harvard College, majoring in music composition and analysis. Josh then received his MM at the Yale School of Music, where he studied with David Shifrin.

Since arriving in Southern California, Josh has taken up golf with a passion. He figures he’s got a lot of catching up to do to match his years working on the clarinet!

Josh and his wife, oboist Lelie Resnick, became proud parents of Jonah Ethan Ranz in October 2006.

photo Michael Miller