Gita Ladd is noted by the Baltimore Sun as a “superb cellist”, and heralded by the Washington Post as one “whose cello sings as poignantly as any voice, a defining glory”, Gita Ladd has been one of the most sought after cellists of the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. area for almost twenty years. For most of that time she performed as a titled member of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, including several appearances as Principal Cello for the annual “Messiah” performances and at the SummerMusicFest Series. She has also performed as Principal Cello with the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, the Baltimore Choral Arts Society, Baltimore Opera Company, Concert Artists of Baltimore, Post Classical Ensemble of Washington D.C., Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, and as Assistant Principal Cello of the Knoxville Symphony. Ms. Ladd has also been a member of the Cincinnati Symphony Pops, and has played frequently at the Kennedy Center with various ensembles including the Washington Opera, Washington Ballet, Washington Chorale and American Ballet Theatre. Ms. Ladd has toured with Tony Bennett, Henry Mancini, Clay Aiken and Mannheim Steamroller, and has performed with Renee Fleming, El Divo, Christina Aguilera, Vince Gil and the Three Irish Tenors.

Ms. Ladd has a long standing commitment to the education of young musicians. She was on the Peabody Conservatory faculty in the spring of 2002, and joined the UMBC faculty in 2006. Beside her cello studio, faculty recitals, and performances with the contemporary music ensemble, “Ruckus”, she has also served as Director of UMBC Chamber Players, and frequently appeared in many Baltimore area schools as a clinician and soloist, and coach.

Besides her musical talents, Ms. Ladd has devoted much time and energy to human service work at local agencies, through Anne Arundel Community College, and volunteerism at the Ordnance Road Correctional Facility.

Ms. Ladd holds a diploma from the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, and has attended the Cleveland Institute of Music and the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music.