The Musicians
Lela LaBarbera (Violin)
Member of the JSO: Since 1986
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Education: B.M. and M.M. in violin performance from the University of North Texas, 1981 and 1988
Why the violin? “I started piano at age three (because I was playing my older brother’s piece by ear) and violin at age nine. My mother was a fine pianist (still playing recitals today at almost 90). I started the violin because my oldest brother already played the piano.”
Performance experience: Lela performed six times as piano soloist with symphony orchestras, including three times with the Dallas Symphony (high school). She played violin one year with the Shreveport Symphony (1981-82) and part-time with the Savannah, Hilton Head and Charleston Symphonies.
Violin, piano and … " I really love harp. I took it up eight years ago, and I play weddings, parties, et cetera.” Lela also sings in choruses.
Family: A wonderful husband, Marty, two children, Reece and Lindsay and two fine stepsons, Adam and Jason; a beautiful Siberian Husky dog named Dina and a beautiful part-Siamese cat named Christy.
Funniest moment with the JSO: “When we were playing a most awful, ridiculous commissioned contemporary piece—even Roger the conductor was laughing!”
Favorite composer/styles of music: “Though I like all music other than atonal, dissonant contemporary music, Rachmaninoff probably would be my favorite composer if I had to choose (especially the 2nd Symphony—I love playing of listening to that piece.) I also really like the big band music of the 40’s.”
Hobbies: “I love to swim—especially in swimming pools; cooking—just not every night. My husband calls me the dessert queen because he’s always inviting people to stop by anytime for dessert, because there’s usually an assortment.”
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