Niki Khabbazvahed (Cello, Piano)

Iranian cellist Niki Khabbazvahed has performed extensively as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral player in Iran, the United States, and Canada, and holds a Masters degree in cello performance from Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music. An award-winning cellist, Niki was a regular member of the Tehran Symphony Orchestra and Tehran Philharmonic Orchestra from 2013 to 2015. Her Fantasio Piano Trio, winner of First Prize at the Lynn Conservatory Competition, performed at the Kosciuszko Foundation at Lincoln Center in 2018.

Alongside her performance career, she is a passionate and experienced educator, having taught over 100 cello and piano students through private and institutional instruction. She has taught at Plumosa School of the Arts, Lynn Conservatory Preparatory School, and in secondary programs at Oberlin Conservatory and the Aspen Music Festival. Khabbazvahed is currently completing her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Cello Performance at the University of Toronto.