Ramin Akhavijou

Akhavijou, a composer with a Ph.D. in Music Composition and Theory from the University of Pittsburgh, focuses his research on the intricate dynamics of Music Perception and Silence and their profound relationship with his compositions. With Master’s degrees in Music Composition from both the Art University of Tehran and Carnegie Mellon University, he has refined his craft through a diverse academic journey. He has developed a deep commitment to exploring the dialectic interrelation between sound and silence, which drives both his creative work and scholarly research. Passionate about pushing the boundaries of musical expression, Akhavijou actively engages in interdisciplinary projects that merge science, technology, and the art of composition. This innovative approach is reflected in his wide-ranging body of work, which continues to expand the possibilities of musical language.

Akhavijou’s works have been performed in many countries by various ensembles, and orchestras such as Brno Philharmonic Orchestra, CMU Philharmonic Orchestra, JACK Quartet, Argus Quartet, Carpe Diem String Quartet, Phoenix String Quartet, TAK, Da Capo, Duo Cortona, NAT28, Kamraton, CMU New Music ensemble, and by soloists such as Thomas Piercy, David Danel, Yumi Suehiro, Aurélienne Brauner, Phoebe Robertson, Sarah Steranka, Mark Micchelli, Devon Tipp, and many more. He has received numerous honors, prizes, and commissions including the Iranian Music Association Prize (Tehran Iran, 2013), ACIMC Award (Paris France, 2014), IMHM prize (London England, 2014), Iranian Music Association Prize (Tehran Iran, 2015), ConTempora Award, Association of Macedonia (Skopje Macedonia, 2015), Orient/Occident Award (Lviv Ukraine, 2015), ABLAZE Records Award (Cincinnati USA, 2016), Bruno Maderna Award (Lviv Ukraine, 2016), NAT28 (Pittsburgh USA, 2017), CMU String Quartet Prize (Pittsburgh USA, 2018), Gindroz Prize (Pittsburgh USA, 2018), CMU Orchestra Composition Competition Prize (Pittsburgh USA, 2019), Co-Opera (Pittsburgh USA, 2019), artist-in-residence Physics & Astronomy (Pittsburgh USA, 2021), Alter Ego Chamber Opera (Philadelphia USA, 2022), New Hazlett Theater (Pittsburgh USA, 2024).

Akhavijou has received some fellowships and scholarships such as FEZANA, Art & Science, A&S, Andrew Carnegie, and Czechoslovak Nationality Room. His music has been published by Ablaze Records, Aldebaran Editions, and Sound Silence Thought. His first opera “languagemachine” was produced by the Pittsburgh Opera Company and performed by the CMU New Music Ensemble in April 2019. He is one of the directors of CFIM (Center for Iranian Music) at Carnegie Mellon University and currently writing his second opera.