A native of Reno, Nevada, Peter Lenz began his musical studies at the age of 6 with a course in piano performance and musical notation. The cello became Peter’s primary instrument at the age of 10. Peter studied with Geoff Rutkowski, Louis Richmond, Bill Konney, and his brother, John Lenz, through college and graduate school.

Peter began his professional music career at the age of 13, when he became a member of the cello section of the Nevada Opera Orchestra. He joined the Reno Chamber Orchestra in 1976, and became principal cellist in 1983. He also was awarded the principal cello position with the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra in 1982. In addition, Peter has performed as principal cellist with the Las Vegas Philharmonic, and as a soloist with the Reno Chamber Orchestra, Reno Philharmonic and other regional orchestras.

Hailing from an extensive family of musicians, Peter frequently performs as a chamber musician in public and private with family members and others. He has performed chamber music with violinists Bella Hristova, James Buswell, and Phillip Ruder, violists Molly Carr and Dustin Budish, cellist Wendy Warner, and pianist James Winn. In his lengthy orchestral career, Peter has shared the stage with Leonard Nimoy, Frank Sinatra, Natalie Cole, Neil Sedaka, Loretta Lynn, The Captain and Tennille, Dean Martin, Edgar Meyer, Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, Luciano Pavarotti, and Itzhak Perlman.

Peter performs on a Simone Fernando Sacconi cello.

In addition to his pursuit of music, Peter holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in Mining Engineering from the Mackay School of Mines, University of Nevada – Reno, and is a Licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Nevada. He is a senior research scientist with EP Minerals.