Violinist, Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg has been a powerful and unique presence in classical music since she burst onto the scene in the early 1980s. She moved from her native Italy when she was eight to study at The Curtis Institute of Music, and she later studied with Dorothy DeLay at The Juilliard School. Nadja’s fiery stage presence and passionate musical interpretations quickly brought her international acclaim, recording contracts, awards and a non-stop touring schedule.

Now, in a move that surprised all but her closest friends, Nadja has jumped into a new life in New Orleans, teaching at Loyola University, College of Music and Fine Arts, and going all in on the Louisiana scene. She continues to perform but her main focus is her life and teaching in New Orleans. We discuss her passion for teaching, New Orleans and jazz from her home in the French Quarter.