Arm Events
The Maestro
From Yerevan to the world's great stages
Born January 25, 1966 in Yerevan, Samvel Yarvinyan picked up the violin at nine and debuted with the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra at just fourteen. He went on to earn his PhD from the Yerevan State Conservatory in 1993.
As concertmaster of the Yerevan Chamber Orchestra and lead violin across 60+ concerts with Yanni's Orchestra, he earned Yanni's praise as the best violinist in the world — and the American Federation of Musicians' recognition for extraordinary ability.
He began at nine at Yerevan's Spenderian Music School under Armen Minasian, sweeping first prizes in every competition in his age group. On graduation day he played Vieuxtemps' Second Concerto to a standing ovation from the entire faculty. He continued at the Tchaikovsky Music Conservatory under Maestro Edward Dayan — his professor's pride and strongest prospect — graduating with Bach's Adagio and Fugue, Mozart's Fifth Concerto, Paganini's 21st Caprice and Sarasate's Gypsy Melodies.
A familiar voice on Armenian television and radio, he built his name at home before joining Yanni's Orchestra in 2003 — touring the Ethnicity, Yanni Live, Voices and World Without Borders tours, from Bangalore to Cairo, across more than 30 countries on five continents. He has shared the stage with Luciano Pavarotti, earned Yanni's praise as “the best violinist in the world” and the American Federation of Musicians' recognition for extraordinary ability — and records as a composer and solo artist.