Ida Kavafian

Internationally acclaimed as a violist as well as violinist, Ida Kavafian is an artist-member of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and former violinist of the Beaux Arts Trio. She performs as a soloist; in recital with her sister, Ani; as a guest with ensembles such as the Guarneri, Orion, and American string quartets; and as artistic director of music for Angel Fire in New Mexico. She is also on the faculty of the Bard College Conservatory of Music.

Ms. Kavafian has premiered numerous works, including concerti by Toru Takemitsu and Michael Daugherty; has toured and recorded with jazz greats Chick Corea and Wynton Marsalis, as well as fiddler/composer Mark O'Connor; and had a solo feature on CBS Sunday Morning. Cofounder of the group Tashi, Ms. Kavafian also cofounded the piano quartet Opus One.

Born in Istanbul of Armenian parentage, she is a graduate of the Juilliard School, where she studied with Oscar Shumsky. She made her debut under Young Concert Artists with the pianist Peter Serkin.

She resides with her husband, violist Steven Tenenbom, in Philadelphia and Connecticut, where they breed and train prizewinning Hungarian vizsla show dogs.

Ms. Kavafian joined the faculty of the Curtis Institute of Music in 1998.