Andrée Armène Stakian was a renowned classical music artist who made significant contributions to the world of music. She was born on August 15, 1921, in Paris, France, to Armenian parents. Her father was a composer and conductor, and her mother was a pianist. From a young age, Stakian was exposed to music and began playing the piano at the age of four. Stakian's family moved to the United States when she was six years old, and she continued her music education there. She studied at the Juilliard School in New York City, where she received a Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance. She also studied with renowned pianist and teacher Rosina Lhévinne. Stakian's talent as a pianist was evident from a young age, and she quickly gained recognition for her performances. In 1941, she won the Naumburg Award, which is given to outstanding young musicians. This award helped launch her career as a concert pianist. Stakian made her debut at Carnegie Hall in 1942, performing Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4 with the New York Philharmonic. This performance was a huge success, and Stakian received critical acclaim for her interpretation of the piece. She went on to perform with many other orchestras, including the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Stakian was known for her virtuosic playing and her ability to bring out the emotional depth of the music she played. She was particularly admired for her performances of the works of Chopin, Beethoven, and Schumann. Her recordings of these composers' works are still highly regarded today. In addition to her career as a concert pianist, Stakian was also a dedicated teacher. She taught at the Juilliard School, the Manhattan School of Music, and the Peabody Institute of Music. Many of her students went on to have successful careers as pianists themselves. Stakian received many awards and honors throughout her career. In 1950, she was awarded the Prix de Rome, which is given to outstanding young artists. She was also awarded the Harriet Cohen International Music Award in 1952 and the Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge Medal in 1960. Stakian continued to perform and teach until her death in 2006 at the age of 85. Her legacy as a pianist and teacher lives on through her recordings and the many students she taught over the years. She was a true master of her craft and a beloved figure in the world of classical music.

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