Sofya Melikyan - Tio Excerpts
SIMA Trio
Sami Merdinian, violin
Ani Kalayjian, cello
Sofya Melikyan, piano
Armenian reporter newspaper
"One of the greatest trios of their generation"
Andres Diaz
"...The Sima Trio's reading of Mozart's G minor Piano Quartet, with illustrious violist Kim Kashkashian, was wonderfully sonorous and surpassingly lyrical, even in the dramatic opening Allegro..."
James Leonard, Ann Arbor Observer
"The Sima Trio is a wonderfully energetic, intensely musical group of young musicians that define the words "Play from your hearts". They do that and more!"
Ani Kavafian
About SIMA Trio and the players
Winners of the First Prize and Gold Medal of 2012 New England International Chamber Music Competition, Sima Trio is quickly becoming one of the leading, young trios of its generation. Praised for their "powerful" and "heartfelt" interpretations of classical and ethnic repertoire, and connected by their Armenian heritage, the members of this NY based ensemble are highly sought after soloists and chamber musicians who have performed at such major venues as Carnegie Hall, Teatro Colon, Palau de la Musica de Barcelona ,Concertgebauw, Seoul Arts Center,Shanghai Theatre, Salle Cortot, La Jolla Sherwood auditorium, Orange County Performing Arts Center, and Yerevan Philharmonic Hall, among others. International award winning violinist Sami Merdinian, cellist Ani Kalayjian, and pianist Sofya Melikyan have studied with Dorothy Delay, Peter Oundjian, Joaquin Soriano , Solomon Mikowksy, Timothy Eddy, and Ralph Kirshbaum.
Performing as much as they can in diverse settings, Sima sets out to convey the musical beauty and uniqueness of their Armenian roots through a repertoire rich with traditional discoveries as well as fresh new works. As modern musicians, they each are passionate and dedicated to community engagement and education. These two are easily intertwined in the form of university or school residences, master classes, lessons,and community outreach concerts. Sima Trio has recently won a top prize at J.C. Arriaga chambermusic competition in Stamford. Highlights for the past season include tours in USA, Japan, Australia and Canada, appearances at Monteleon Chamber Music Festival in Leon and Palace of Festivals of Santander in Spain, collaborations with Kim Kashkashian, Australian premiere of Lera Auerbach's piano trio, as well as 2011 and 2012 residency as Shouse Artists at Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival in Michigan. Upcoming engagements include concerts in USA: Red Bank Chamber Music Society in NJ,Dame Myra Hess series in Chicago, Cranbrook Concert Guild series in Michigan, Argentina and Spain.