Karen Ouzounian

Karen Ouzounian (cello). Sought after for her “radiant” (The New York Times) performances full of “tremendous heart, bringing joy and a captivating sound to the stage” (The Strad), Karen Ouzounian is an acclaimed cellist and composer who creates music that springs from a deeply personal place. She has appeared as a soloist with the Konzerthaus Berlin, Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, Kölner Philharmonie, and Tonhalle Düsseldorf, as well as at Carnegie Hall, championing a remarkable breadth of music with fierce emotional commitment. She has appeared at the Marlboro, Ojai, Caramoor, and Ravinia festivals and was the founding cellist of the Aizuri Quartet for 11 years, earning a Grammy nomination and major chamber music prizes on three continents.

Ouzounian is currently touring Mayrig (“mother” in Armenian), an intimate show for cello with electronics, piano, and vocals, and in 2024 premiered Dear Mountains, her co-composed work with Lembit Beecher for solo cello, oud, percussion and chorus. www.karenouzounian.com.