Our Story

AYA (pronounced as ay-why-ay) Piano Trio was formed in 2013 at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where its members studied extensively and worked closely with renowned chamber musicians and soloists including members of the Guarneri Quartet and Beaux Arts Trio. Its long-time mentors at Curtis include cellist Peter Wiley, pianists Jonathan Biss, Robert McDonald, Meng-Chieh Liu, and violinists Arnold Steinhardt. In recent years, the group has worked closely with the members of the Emerson String Quartet at their festival of residence- Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival in Michigan, and have also received mentorship from chamber music power duo Vivian and Donald Wilerstein of New England Conservatory.

The trio has performed extensively across the U.S. in both recital and competition stages. In 2018, they won the WDAV Young Chamber Musicians Competition in Davidson College, North Carolina, and were invited for the following season to return to the competition for a residency consisting of recordings and concerts. In the 19/20 season, the trio gave debut recitals in the Concerts International Series of Memphis and the esteemed Schneider Concert series at the Mannes New School in New York City. In 2020, the group was awarded first prize in the Yellow Springs Chamber Music Competition and was nominated finalists of the Chesapeake Chamber Music Competition. The trio made their Beethoven Triple Concerto debut with Maestro Leif Bjaland and the Waterbury Symphony in Connecticut in the following season. In the 21/22 season, the trio appeared at multiple prestigious concert series, including their debut recital in the newly opened Parker Concert Hall of Brevard Music Center in North Carolina, Merkin Concert Hall of NYC, Dame Myra Hess memorial series in Chicago, and Washington Performing Arts series in D.C. 

Highlights for the trio’s 23/24 engagements include a California debut recital in Laguna Woods, recital and masterclass residency at the University of Southern Mississippi, appearances at Chamber Music Reading, and Saugerties Pro Musica series. AYA Piano Trio will record their debut album in the coming season, featuring works by Clara Schumann, Fazil Say and a new work commissioned for the group.