Linda Naef, Oboe II/English Horn, developed an early interest in music, beginning piano at age 5. A native of Jackson, she grew up surrounded by choral and symphonic music as the daughter of parents who were very involved in the musical life of the city. At age 11 she fell in love with sound of the English Horn, (the alto version of the oboe), and resolved to learn to play it. Beginning at age 12, she studied Oboe (and finally by High School, English Horn) with the then Jackson Symphony Principal Oboe, Wayne Miller, winning many local and state awards. Her Oboe studies continued at USM with Dr. William Gower.
She has a long history of association with the Mississippi Symphony having volunteered as a Symphony Sub Deb and having performed through High School with the Mississippi Youth Symphony Orchestra.
While developing a career in education, psychology, and religion, Naef continued to perform with a variety of local musical groups including the Mississippi Opera and various area churches. In 1977, she began as substitute Oboe 2 with the Jackson Symphony. In 1983 she and husband Richard Hudson (Horn 2 with MSO) moved to Boston for Naef’s graduate study. Upon returning to Jackson in 1993, she again served as MSO substitute Oboe 2 and English Horn as well as resuming her free-lance performing. Since 2012, Naef has held the position of Oboe 2/English Horn in the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra.
Dr. Linda Naef maintains a private practice in psychotherapy in Jackson. She and Richard are the proud parents of two adult children.