Born in 1951 in Riga where he graduated from the School of Music. Then he studied at the class of Prof. A. Nikitin at the Leningrad Conservatory which he graduated in 1975 and proceeded to a fellowship appointment there.
While still an undergraduate student he was admitted to the renowned Academic Symphony Orchestra. In 1980 he won the 3rd prize and bronze medal at the Prague Spring International Cello Competition. In 1984 he became the leader of the cello section of the Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra. He has given performances in Russia, Germany, Switzerland, Finland, Italy, Great Britain, Norway, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. He has worked closely with conductors such as A. Janson, M. Janson, S. Sondeckis, Y. Domarkas, A. Lazarev, V. Gergiev, M. Brabbins, A. Paris, R. Melia, R. Martynov, and G. Rinkevičius. As a soloist and orchestral musician Roldugin performs works of various historical periods and styles. He has made recordings for the radio, television and for Melodia label.
Each year he conducts workshops in Russia, other European countries, Korea and Japan, and he participates in the works of jury panels of Russian and international competitions.
In 2004 he began performing as a conductor. He conducted orchestras in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk and abroad: in Germany, Finland and Japan.
In the years 2003-04 Sergei Roldugin was President of the Rimsky-Korsakov State Conservatory in St. Petersburg. In 2006 he created the St. Petersburg Music House and became its Music Director.