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Ava Nazar, piano
Ava Nazar, an Iranian-American pianist based in New York, has performed extensively at notable venues such as the United Nations, Merkin Hall at Lincoln Center, the American Museum of Natural History, National Sawdust, Duke University, Santa Clara University, and Sam Mazza Castle in San Francisco. Her festival appearances include the Aspen Music Festival, the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara, and the Académies Internationales d'été du Grand Nancy in France.
In the summer of 2025, she released her debut album Nahoft, produced by Parma Recordings. The album features works by women composers from Iran, including one of her own compositions. Nahoft was also featured on PBS's Feminine Fusion and Classical 24, among other radio stations.
Ava is distinguished for her frequent collaborations with accomplished musicians. One of her recent highlights includes touring with renowned Iranian singer Homayoun Shajarian across the U.S., with performances at prestigious venues such as the Chicago Symphony Center, Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco, Jacobs Music Center in San Diego, and Benaroya Hall in Seattle.
Passionate about expanding musical access across communities, Ava has volunteered as a pianist with the Sing for Hope organization, which brings art to communities in need. She also served as an AmeriCorps fellow through ArtistYear, where she taught music to underserved middle schoolers in New York. Ava continues to foster a love for music education through the Prelude Music Program, which she co-founded in NYC to teach piano lessons to kids. She is also the assistant conductor at the Bronx County Chorus, the longest-running chorus in the Bronx.
Ava holds a Master's degree from the Juilliard School and a Bachelor's degree from the Manhattan School of Music.