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 from a deeply personal place. She has appeared as a soloist in venues including the Konzerthaus Berlin, Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, Kölner Philharmonie, Tonhalle Düsseldorf and Carnegie Hall, premiered numerous adventurous works, and appeared at the Marlboro, Ojai, Caramoor and Ravinia festivals. She has collaborated with some of the most singular musicians of our time, including Rhiannon Giddens, Augustin Hadelich and Kayhan Kalhor, performs as a member of the Silkroad Ensemble, and was the founding cellist of the Aizuri Quartet for eleven years, earning a GRAMMY nomination and major chamber music prizes on three continents. In 2024 she premiered Dear Mountains, her co-composed work with Lembit Beecher for solo cello, oud, percussion and chorus.
