Ludena, Leslie

Violin

Leslie Ludena was born in Palo Alto to a pianist and a Naval officer. She grew up in a Virginia suburb of Washington, D.C., where she studied with William Steck, Concertmaster of the National Symphony.

Ms. Ludena began her professional career at fifteen, playing in several orchestras in the D.C. Metro area. She then attended Eastman School of Music, where she continued her training with Charles Castleman and Peter Salaff. Leslie returned to Washington, freelancing throughout the area and joining the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra in 1995, where she performed opera, ballet, and Broadway musicals for three seasons.

In 1998, Ms. Ludena returned to California to accept a second violin position in the San Francisco Opera Orchestra, where she intends to remain, further cultivating a lifelong appreciation of opera. She also continues to freelance and play chamber music whenever possible.

Outside the music world, Ms. Ludena enjoys sailing on the Bay, hiking, and photography.