Anahid Ajemian (born January 26, 1924) is an American violinist. Ajemian's career in contemporary music got its impetus from the fact that she is of Armenian descent.^[1]

Beginning in the 1940s, Ajemian did much to promote the work of American composers, giving frequent performances of new compositions together with her sister, the pianist Maro Ajemian, and touring the United States, Canada, and Europe. Among the composers who wrote for them are John Cage, Henry Cowell, Alan Hovhaness, Ernst Krenek, Lou Harrison, Wallingford Riegger, Carlos Surinach, and Ben Weber. Anahid and Maro Ajemian were the first instrumentalists to receive the Laurel Leaf Award from the American Composers Alliance, for their "distinguished service to American music."

Also during the 1940s, the two co-founded the New York City-based organization Friends of Armenian Music Committee, which did much to launch the career of fellow Armenian American composer Alan Hovhaness, via a series of well received New York concerts of his music. Anahid was also a member of the Composers Quartet.

Ajemian teaches violin at Columbia University. She is married to George Avakian, a record producer and founding officer of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.

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[edit] External links

• Anahid Ajemian biography