Ludovica Burtone

Ludovica Burtone is a versatile violinist and composer based in New York City, whose career spans an eclectic range of styles and genres. With a foundation in classical music and a passion for jazz, Brazilian, and contemporary improvisation, she has performed worldwide as a soloist, chamber musician, and collaborator in numerous celebrated ensembles.

Classically trained—with a Master of Arts in violin performance from Conservatorio Tomadini in Italy and a postgrad from Barcelona’s Liceu—Ludovica worked with several European orchestras for over 9 years (including the prestigious Orchestra Mitteleuropa and the Orchestra Teatro Lirico di Trieste) before moving to the United States. In addition to her classical training, Ludovica grew up playing and improvising in different musical contexts and has immersed herself in all aspects of jazz studies, completing a diploma in jazz composition at Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. Since then, she had the opportunity to perform and work with musicians like Jon Batiste, Dave Douglas, Susana Baca, Camila Meza, A. R. Rahman, Arijit Singh, and Dream Theater, to mention only a few. She has performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Radio City Music Hall, Boston Symphony Hall, Boston Opera House, The Jazz Standard, Mezzrow Jazz Club, Café Carlyle, and National Sawdust.

In March 2023, Ludovica released her debut album, Sparks, which features a vibrant interplay of string quartet and piano trio. The album received critical acclaim, was recognized as Best Jazz on Bandcamp that month, and led to notable performances, including at the DC Jazz Festival, the Italian Embassy in Washington, DC, and an upcoming three-night engagement at Dizzy’s Club in December 2023. 

Her latest project, Migration Tales, supported by grants from the Café Royal Cultural Foundation and New Music USA, explores the stories of immigrant women in New York City through original compositions. The album features her new ensemble, a sextet with flugelhorn, tenor saxophone, piano, bass and drums, and a collaboration with soundscape artist Cleo Reed, blending jazz and world influences.

As a dedicated educator and recording artist, Ludovica teaches privately and contributes to orchestral, chamber, and film-scoring projects, doubling on viola. She co-founded O Kwarteto Collective, a string quartet dedicated to Brazilian music traditions, recently collaborating with the New York Philharmonic Very Young Composers Workshop. Her extensive recording credits include work with Jaime Lozano, Sonia de Los Santos, and Residente on various occasions, showcasing her versatility and connection to contemporary projects.

Recent highlights include performing with Icelandic band Sigur Ros, premiering Jon Batiste’s American Symphony at Carnegie Hall (and being part of the Oscar and Grammy-nominated documentary), leading the orchestra for Chitaozinho e Xororó’s 50th-anniversary tour at Radio City Music Hall, and performing at the historic Notorious B.I.G.

Tribute at Lincoln Center’s David Geffen Hall. Ludovica continues to expand her creative voice, working on a book of string arrangements of Brazilian music and a pedagogical collection of Italian folk song duets for violin.