Sami Merdinian
Argentinian violinist Sami Merdinian has received worldwide recognition for his outstanding performances as a soloist and chamber musician. Sami has appeared with the Montevideo Philharmonic, the Argentine National Symphony, the Charlemagne Orchestra, the Gagneung Philharmonic in South Korea, the Buenos Aires Philharmonic, the South Carolina Philharmonic, the Rochester Philharmonic, and the Midland and Duluth Symphonies.
Sami is a member of the award-winning string quintet Sybarite5, which has performed recently at Carnegie Hall, the Library of Congress, and Lincoln Center, and has toured throughout the United States, Canada, Asia, and South America. Sybarite5’s album “Outliers” debuted at #1 on the Billboard Classical Music chart.
Highly sought after as a tango violinist, Mr. Merdinian has performed and recorded with some of the most prominent artists in the genre. He has received a Grammy Nomination for “Masters of the Bandoneon” in the category of Best Tango Album. Mr. Merdinian’s discography includes recordings for Universal Records, Canary Classics, CAG Records, Bright Shiny Things, and Green Parrot Records.
Mr. Merdinian has been a prize winner in several international competitions, including a Gold Medal in the XII International Young Solo Instrumentalists Competition in Argentina and the New Talent Competition in Slovakia. He has also received the Rising Star Award by Tiffany & Co., was named Outstanding Artist of the Year by the Argentinian Press, and has been featured on WQXR in New York, “Spiegelzall” live from the Concertgebouw, Argentinian Classical National Station, America’s NPR, South Korea’s KBS, and the BBC.
Mr. Merdinian is the Co-Founder and Artistic Director of the New Docta Festival in Argentina. He has led masterclasses throughout the USA, South America, and Asia, and given lectures on music and entrepreneurship at universities such as Penn State, Curtis Institute, New England Conservatory, and The New School. Additionally, Mr. Merdinian serves as the producer and co-host of the Down the Pit Podcast.