Ava Pakiam is a 14 year old sought after soloist and recitalist currently residing in the Bay Area. A student at the Pre College of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music since the age of seven, Ava presently studies with renowned violin professor, Simon James.

Ava made her solo debut at eight years old in California performing the Mozart Concerto No. 2 with the Fremont Symphony. Later that summer, she performed Vivaldi’s Winter Concerto with the Sempre Musik Orchestra and New York Sinfonietta in Boston and New York City, making her solo debut at Carnegie Hall at age 8.

In the Fall of 2021, Ava competed at age 11 in the Seattle Young Artists Auditions and was named a Seattle Symphony Young Artist for the 2021-2022 season. She then performed as a soloist with the Symphony on a season concert playing Saint Saens Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso. As a participant at the Sounding Point Academy at Colburn School in L.A., Ava was given the honor of being the youngest student chosen to perform in an evening recital which was streamed live by The Violin Channel at age 12, performing “Le Vent” by Vecsey. Ava has had the privilege of performing in master classes for many leading pedagogues and performing artists including Nathan Cole, Noah Geller, Ariel Horowitz, James Ehnes, Vadim Gluzman, Melissa White, Simone Porter, Sirena Huang and Hilary Hahn. Solo appearances with orchestra in the past year included performances of Prokofiev Concerto No. 2, the Barber Concerto, Concerto, the Mendelssohn Concerto, Ravel’s Tzigane and Sarasate’s Zigeunerweisen along with a performance alongside Grammy Award winning composer, Mason Bates.

Upcoming engagements include the Brahms, Tchaikovsky, and Bruch Concerti this season with orchestras in the USA on both coasts as well as concert tours in Mexico and Honduras.

In addition to her solo engagements, Ava is a enthusiastic recitalist who loves speaking and connecting with her audience giving short historical background on pieces at every performance. Recital Highlights from last season include a recital at Strathmore Hall, The Bowes Center, Hood College, and a benefit recitals for Yellow Boomerang and Olympia Symphony. Ava is thrilled to make her recital debut in NYC this year as part of the prestigious Salon de Virtuosi Series.

A Strumenti artist since 2022, Ava is incredibly fortunate to be playing an 1874 J.B. Vuillaume, currently on loan from Strumenti. Ava’s new partnership with Strumenti was featured in the Strings Magazine 2023 August edition.

Ava is grateful to be under the guidance of Artistic Advisor and former head of IMG, Edna Landau. Ms. Landau is also currently serving as the first point of contact for Ava's future engagements.

In addition to music, Ava loves art, baking, jewelry making, and creative writing.