Aznavoorian Sisters Biography

The Aznavoorian Sisters, a remarkable classical music duo, launched their musical careers with a debut performance at ages four and eight at their Armenian church in Evanston, Illinois. They secured First Prize in the Illinois Bell Young Performers Competition, which led to a memorable live appearance with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, aired on PBS. Since then, this talented duo has performed together across Western and Eastern Europe, most recently in Khachaturian and Komitas Halls in Armenia. They’ve also graced the stage at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall and delivered numerous musical performances in their native Chicago, including a significant fundraiser for the 1988 Armenian earthquake and a recital at the 2024 Ravinia Summer Festival. In 2023, the Aznavoorian Sisters were highlighted in a winter residency with the Seattle Chamber Music Society. This season, they embark on a U.S. tour, showcasing their talents in California, Washington, Illinois, Oklahoma, Virginia, South Carolina, and Connecticut, with a featured recital at Festival Mozaic this summer.

Their extraordinary talent earned them the National Foundation for the Arts Award, designating them as Presidential Scholars in the Arts and opening doors to performances at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and the White House, where Ani met President Bill Clinton and Marta met President George H. W. Bush. They have collaborated with and commissioned pieces from notable contemporary composers, including Lera Auerbach, Clarice Assad, William Bolcom, Osvaldo Golijov, Shulamit Ran, Peter Boyer, Augusta Read Thomas, Stacy Garrop, Bright Sheng, Pierre Jalbert, Laura Schwendinger, John Harbison, Daron Hagen, Patrick Zimmerli, Vache Sharafyan, Debra Kaye, and Colin Matthews, enriching the landscape of modern classical music.

In 2022, the Aznavoorian Sisters released their debut album, Gems from Armenia, on the Cedille label. This recording features Armenian music and includes a world premiere composition written for them by Peter Boyer and Vache Sharafyan, earning widespread praise from reviewers. Beyond their artistry, Marta and Ani are committed to musical education, supporting programs that provide opportunities for students from underrepresented backgrounds. They established the Keynote Foundation to fund and nurture these students, helping them reach their full potential in music. Marta is a Steinway Artist, and Ani proudly performs on a cello made by their father, Peter Aznavoorian, in Chicago.