Sean Penzo

Born in Genova, Italy, and raised outside of Syracuse, NY, Sean Penzo is a composer, cellist, and writer known for a wide range of collaborations and compositions. He has held board positions in Ethos New Music Society and The Improv. Collective, among others, and is a co-founder of the Michigan-based music nonprofit, East Zodiac. Penzo has composed for ensembles and artists who have performed and recorded his music internationally including Sonic Apricity, Akropolis Reed Quintet, and Quartetto Zuena. During his undergrad at SUNY Fredonia, he studied composition with Paul Coleman, Andrew Martin Smith, Rob Deemer, and Jamie Leigh Sampson, and cello with Natasha Farny. After Fredonia, he studied with Keith Fitch and Bryan Dumm in Cleveland, and graduated with a master's in music composition.

Penzo values performance just as much as composition. He enjoys working with live bands, creating music for the special moments in people’s lives as a weddings and events musician, and playing the role of a studio musician and arranger--often recording and writing remotely for clients of all genres. Some of his musical endeavors have involved working with The Junk Experiment, Shane Patterson, Todd Hobin, Isa Bruder, and many other artists. Currently based around Syracuse, NY, he regularly performs, records, and premieres works written by other composers.

Website: seanpenzo.com

Instagram: @seanlorenzopenzo