Ani Kavafian was born in Istanbul, Turkey, and began her musical studies with piano lessons at age three. At nine, shortly after her family moved to the United States, she began studying the violin 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 top honors. She has performed with virtually all of America's leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony, 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, touring with it throughout the United States and Canada, in addition to performing in their regular series at Alice Tully Hall. She is also a member of the Walden Horn Trio with pianist Anne-Marie McDermott and hornist Robert Routch, with whom she performs regularly. She is in demand at numerous festivals, including the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, Chamber Music Northwest, and Bridgehampton Chamber Music Festival. Her 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 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.