Massimo La Rosa joined The Cleveland Orchestra as principal trombonist in September 2007.  He previously served as principal trombonist of La Fenice Opera House in Venice from 1996 to 2007.  He has performed as principal trombonist with La Scala Opera House in Milan, the Santa Cecilia Symphonic Orchestra in Rome, and with the Teatro Comunale di Firenze in Florence.  Mr. La Rosa has appeared as a soloist with La Fenice Orchestra and with the Sicilian Symphonic Orchestra of Palermo.

Born in a small village near Palermo, Sicily in 1974, Mr. La Rosa began playing the trombone in the local village band when he was 9 years old. Later, he studied trombone in Palermo with Filippo Bonanno, principal trombone of the Sicilian Symphonic Orchestra.  He had additional lessons and master classes with Joseph Alessi, Charles Vernon, Rex Martin and Jacques Mauger.  Mr. La Rosa is a clinician for the Edwards Instrument Co., and has presented solo recitals and master classes throughout Europe and the United States.