Ani Aznavoorian is a renowned cellist who has made a name for herself in the world of classical music. Born on January 26, 1976, in Evanston, Illinois, Ani grew up in a family of musicians. Her father, Vatche Aznavoorian, was a violinist, and her mother, Victoria Aznavoorian, was a pianist. Ani's siblings, violinist Ida and pianist Vatche Jr., also pursued careers in music. Ani began playing the cello at the age of four, and by the time she was eight, she was already performing in public. She studied at the Music Institute of Chicago with Hans Jorgen Jensen and later at the Juilliard School with Harvey Shapiro. Ani also received guidance from renowned cellists such as Yo-Yo Ma, Lynn Harrell, and Janos Starker. Ani's talent and dedication to her craft quickly became evident, and she began to receive recognition for her performances. In 1994, at the age of 18, she won the prestigious Naumburg International Cello Competition, which helped launch her career. She went on to win other awards, including the Grand Prize at the 1997 Pablo Casals International Cello Competition in Budapest, Hungary. Ani has performed with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the New York Philharmonic, and the London Symphony Orchestra. She has also collaborated with renowned conductors such as Daniel Barenboim, Zubin Mehta, and Christoph Eschenbach. One of Ani's most memorable performances was at the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo, Norway. She performed with the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra and was joined on stage by artists such as Paul McCartney, Destiny's Child, and Andrea Bocelli. The concert was broadcast to over 100 countries and was watched by millions of people around the world. Ani is also an accomplished chamber musician and has performed with many of the world's leading ensembles, including the Guarneri Quartet, the Tokyo Quartet, and the Emerson Quartet. She has also collaborated with pianists such as Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Yefim Bronfman, and Emanuel Ax. In addition to her performances, Ani is also a dedicated teacher. She has taught at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the University of California, Los Angeles, and the Colburn School in Los Angeles. She has also given masterclasses around the world, sharing her knowledge and expertise with aspiring musicians. Ani has recorded several albums, including a critically acclaimed recording of the complete works for cello and piano by Sergei Rachmaninoff with pianist Marta Aznavoorian. She has also recorded works by composers such as Beethoven, Brahms, and Shostakovich. Ani's dedication to her craft and her talent have earned her many accolades throughout her career. In addition to her competition wins, she has received awards such as the Avery Fisher Career Grant and the S&R Washington Award. She was also named a United States Artists Fellow in 2010. Ani continues to perform and teach around the world, inspiring audiences and musicians alike with her passion for music. Her talent and dedication have made her one of the most respected and admired cellists of her generation.

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