Cellist
Artistic Director
Producer
A Toronto-based cellist and artistic director whose work moves freely between chamber music, orchestral performance, new music, recording and unexpected collaborations.
ABOUT
Andrew Ascenzo is a Toronto-based cellist whose work extends well beyond the traditional role of the performer. He is an artistic director, producer, educator, and collaborator whose work spans performance, recording, and the development of musical and interdisciplinary projects.
Andrew is a Founder, Co-Executive Director, and Cellist of the Canadian Chamber Orchestra, leading its artistic direction, operations, and production alongside performing with the ensemble. He maintains an active career as a freelance musician, performing with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Toronto Concert Orchestra, and touring artists including St. Vincent, Lauryn Hill, and Sigur Rós.
His work as an artistic leader and producer includes Music Toronto, Music in the Atrium at Toronto’s Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, the Banff Centre, and Ottawa Chamberfest. He is also co-founder of Pulse Music with music therapist SarahRose Black and teaches at the University of Toronto, where he completed his Doctor of Musical Arts in 2020.
LISTEN
Releasing on October 30th, 2026
Where the Light Breaks is the debut recording from the Canadian Chamber Orchestra, releasing on all major streaming platforms on October 30th, 2026.
The album features a collage of works including the premiere recording of Sri Lankan-Canadian composer Dinuk Wijeratne’s piano concerto Gajaga Vannama, Kevin Lau’s Joy featuring Luri Lee (violin), Jocelyn Morlock’s Solace featuring Noa Sarid (violin) and Drew Comstock (cello), Elgar’s Introduction & Allegro featuring the Rolston String Quartet, George Walker’s Lyric for Strings, and Osvaldo Golijov’s Last Round.
Stay tuned for a pre-save link and preview track coming soon!
WATCH
PROJECTS
