Elizabeth Katra Ledford was born and raised in Fayetteville, New York. She began studying the violin at age 8. She credits her high school orchestra director, Ronald Hebert, with instilling in her a lifelong passion for teaching and playing music. Mrs. Ledford holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in Music and English from Trinity University in San Antonio, TX. She went on to earn a Master of Music in Violin Performance from Florida State University, where she was a student of Eliot Chapo, former concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic. While in Florida, Mrs. Ledford gained valuable performance experience with the symphonies of Tallahassee, Savannah, Columbus, Southwest Florida, and others. After graduation, she moved back to Texas and began a career that combines teaching and performing. Mrs. Ledford spent eight years directing orchestras in Pasadena ISD, first at South Houston High School and later as a member of the first faculty of Morris Middle School. Currently, Mrs. Ledford is in her thirteenth year as Head Orchestra Director at Cypress Ranch High School in Cypress-Fairbanks ISD. Her orchestras have won multiple UIL Sweepstakes awards every year and have established a tradition of excellence. Many of Mrs. Ledford’s students go on to play in their college orchestras, earn music scholarships, and even pursue successful careers in music performance and education. As a freelance violinist, Mrs. Ledford is a member of AFM Local 65-699 and has performed with numerous ensembles in and around the Houston area, including the Houston Chamber Orchestra, Masquerade Theatre, Third Floor Strings, Grace Symphony, and the Pasadena Philharmonic, of which she is a past Concerto Competition winner. When not teaching or performing, Mrs. Ledford enjoys traveling, cross stitching, and spending time with her husband Tanner, children Thomas and Grace, and her dog, Lea.