Biography
Arin Sarkissian is the Principal Flutist of the Victoria Symphony and a rising presence in the North American classical music scene. The 2024 recipient of the Canada Council for the Arts’ Michael Measures 1st Prize, Arin has performed as Guest Principal with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and appeared with the Vancouver Symphony, San Diego Symphony, and the National Arts Centre Orchestre.
Named in CBC’s “30 Hot Canadian Classical Musicians Under 30,” Arin’s recent solo engagements include Carl Nielsen’s Flute Concerto with the Victoria Symphony, J.S. Bach’s Triple Concerto with Angela Hewitt, chamber concertos with violinist Blake Pouliot, and a national broadcast recital for the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal on ICI Musique and CBC. He was the featured soloist on tour with the 2024 National Youth Orchestra of Canada, performing Einojuhani Rautavaara’s “Dances with the Winds” for flute, piccolo, alto flute, and bass flute all over Canada and broadcast nationwide. Arin regularly performs concerts in Victoria and Vancouver Island, most recently spotlighted at the Victoria Summer Music Festival. His competition successes include top prizes at the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal’s Concours, Yamaha Young Artists, Music Teachers National Association, and the National Flute Association competitions.
Equally committed to chamber music, Arin performs with harpist Kaitlin Miller as Duo Duoro. The duo recently toured Washington and shared an hour-long special on Seattle’s Classic KING-FM as winners of the Frances Walton Competition. Following a chamber residency at Avaloch Farms, the pair looks forward to publishing new duo arrangements and touring Southern California, having been selected as recommended artists by the Beverly Hills National Auditions and the Consortium of Chamber Presenters. Arin also enjoys sharing chamber music programs alongside treasured colleagues on Vancouver Island and recently shared the stage at Orchestre symphonique de Montréal’s La Virée Classique and the Ottawa Chamberfest.
Arin earned his Bachelor of Music with Distinction at Rice University under Leone Buyse and holds a Performance Certificate from The Colburn School, where he studied with Jim Walker. Arin is grateful to mentors Christina Yoo and Lilit Hovhannisyan for helping cultivate his love for music. He performs on a Haynes Custom flute maintained by technician Cynthia Kelley, and remains committed to sharing vibrant, adventurous programming with audiences across North America. Upcoming projects include the release of Arin’s debut album Evocations with pianist Paul Williamson, and a concerto appearance with the Chamber Orchestra of the Springs as their 2024 Emerging Soloist.