Ani Kavafian

Ani Kavafian, violin, has performed with virtually all of America's leading orchestras including the New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Pittsburgh Symphony, the Minnesota Orchestra, and the symphony orchestras of Detroit, San Francisco, Atlanta, Seattle, Minneapolis, Phoenix and Rochester. Her numerous recital engagements include performances at New York's Carnegie Hall and Alice Tully Hall; Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis; and the Krannert Center in Illinois. As a chamber musician, Ms. Kavafian appears frequently as an Artist-Member of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. She is in demand at numerous festivals including the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, Chamber Music Northwest, and the Bridgehampton Chamber Music Festival. Ms. Kavafian's list of prestigious awards includes the Avery Fisher Prize and the Young Concert Artists International Auditions. She has appeared at the White House on three separate occasions and has been featured on many network and PBS television music specials. Her recordings can be heard on the Nonesuch, RCA, Columbia and Musical Heritage Society labels. Born in Istanbul, Turkey, of Armenian descent, Ani Kavafian began her musical studies with piano lessons at the age of three. At age nine, shortly after her family moved to the United States, she began the study of the violin with Ara Zerounian and, at 16, won first prize in both the piano and violin competitions at the National Music Camp in Interlochen, Michigan. Two years later, she began violin studies at The Juilliard School with Ivan Galamian, eventually receiving a master's degree with highest honors. She joined the Yale School of Music faculty in 2006.