Nikki Naghavi 

(She/Her/Hers)

19-year-old Nikki Naghavi is a native of Dallas, Texas. She started violin lessons at the age of 4 and currently studies at the New England Conservatory of Music under the tutelage of Ayano Ninomiya. Nikki had her orchestral debut in January 2018 with the Baylor Chamber Orchestra, and she soloed with the Plano Symphony in March of that year. She also won 3rd prize at the Lynn Harrel Competition in 2018. Nikki was selected as concertmaster of the Texas All-State Symphony orchestra in 2017, and was also the concertmaster of the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra. In the summer of 2018, Nikki attended and performed several times at the Bowdoin International Music Festival, and in the summer of 2019, she was given the opportunity to tour Europe as principal second violinist of the National Youth Orchestra of the USA. Nikki has performed on the radio show, From The Top, in June 2019, and was also selected as a collegiate ambassador for the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s 2019-2020 season. Aside from playing the violin, Nikki enjoys traveling and exploring new cultures, as well as spending time with her friends and family. To Nikki, music isn’t just about the final performance, but the journey that affects the result. She believes in the inherent value of musical education and exposure, and thus has steered her work toward a direction that is accessible for the vast majority. She is also a Co-Founder of Through the Staff, and organization that provides free online music lessons to young musicians who could otherwise not afford or have access to them. She is also very active on her Instagram account, @nikkinaghaviviolin.