Cleo Aufderhaar was born and raised in San Antonio. She joined the San Antonio Symphony in October of 1975 and is now in her 38th Season. In younger years Cleo played in the San Antonio Youth Symphony under G. Lewis Doll, and in Domenick Saltarelli’s Community Orchestra.
Her education included San Antonio College (AA), Baylor University (BME), and University of Iowa (MA). Cleo participated in Early Music and Baroque Ensembles (playing on period instruments) and was a member of Mu Phi Epsilon. Her violin teachers included Lino Bartoli, Leopold La Fosse, Margaret Pardee (at Meadowmount), Fredell Lack, and Chamber Music with Lev Aronson (at Baylor).
Other orchestra memberships have been in Waco, Davenport, Cedar Rapids, Corpus Christi, Mid-Texas, Laredo, the Winters Chamber Orchestra, and San Antonio Opera. Besides teaching and coaching at her home she has taught at the Pecan Valley Arts Center, YOSA, Dacbert’s Music Plaza, UTSA, San Antonio College, and as a substitute string class teacher in the public schools.
In addition to playing for many social events, she has also donated time to churches, nursing homes, and hospitals. Southern Music Company published two volumes of her Wedding Music arrangements for string quartet with optional bass. A third volume is nearing completion.
When not involved with the violin, Cleo’s special interests include playing the accordion and traveling. Additional hobbies include bowling, motorcycle riding, westerns, and science fiction. Favorite composers are Vivaldi, Beethoven, Wagner, and Richard Strauss.