Roberta Janzen grew up in Winnipeg, MB surrounded by a family of musicians and found an early passion for music studying cello with Carolyn Nagelberg and Bryan Epperson.
Recognized for the “strength, authority and beauty” of her tone (Hamilton Spectator), Roberta joined the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in 2004. She has also been a member of the Canadian Opera Company Orchestra and has appeared as guest principal cellist with the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra and Les Violons Du Roy in Quebec City.
An avid recitalist, Roberta has performed for CBC’s Music Around Us, Aga Khan Museum Pocket Performances, and has recorded for REM in France with the Ensemble Amarcord. She is also a founding member of The Lark Ensemble who maintains a yearly chamber series at the Corkin Gallery, Toronto. A keen proponent of new music, she has performed with the TSO New Creations Players, Continuum Contemporary Music and Soundstreams. As a concerto soloist, Roberta has performed with numerous orchestras including the Calgary Philharmonic, Winnipeg Symphony, and the New England Conservatory Orchestra.
Roberta’s summer festival appearances include the Elora Festival, the Toronto Summer Music Festival, as well as mentorship programs at festivals in Tanglewood, Ravinia, Rutgers, and the Banff Centre for the Arts. A recipient of numerous grants from the Canada Council and the Manitoba Arts Council, Roberta has studied with William Pleeth, Timothy Eddy, Laurence Lesser, Eugene Lehner, and George Neikrug. She holds a Doctorate from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, a Masters of Music from New England Conservatory of Music, and a Bachelor of Music from Boston University where she graduated with the Edward E. Stein Award for Excellence in the Arts.
A dedicated pedagogue, Roberta maintains an active private studio and has given lessons and masterclasses across Canada, including at the Royal Conservatory of Toronto, Wilfrid Laurier University, University of Toronto, University of Winnipeg, and University of Western Ontario.
Roberta plays a 1747 cello made by Spanish luthier Juan Guillami.