Concert cellist and recording artist Maria Ahn is the visionary force behind the Ahn Trio and the founding member of the innovative, sound-based ensemble (((April 33))). With seven critically acclaimed albums released on EMI Classics, SONY, and Warner, the Ahn Trio enjoys widespread demand for performances, masterclasses, and workshops around the globe. Early on, New York Newsday dubbed them “classical revolutionaries”, and Maria and her trio continue to push musical boundaries by commissioning original works from an impressive range of composers, including Pat Metheny, Laurie Spiegel, Michael Nyman, Maurice Jarre, Mark O'Connor, Hyung-ki Joo, and DJ Spooky. It is with great honor that Maria announces her new program, which will feature newly composed works by renowned electroacoustic music pioneer Laurie Spiegel, including a piece created specifically for Maria and Lucia, to be released as an album. This composition will also be brought to life through a new choreography by EvanMatthew Stewart of the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company, set to debut this May.

Photo by Sandra Boulanger

Driven by Maria's creative direction, the trio established L.A.M.P. (Lucia Angella Maria Productions), a precursor to Maria Ahn Music. This led to the creation of their album “Lullaby for My Favorite Insomniac”, which was later released by Sony and remained at No. 8 on the Billboard charts for 26 weeks. Their album of Dvořák, Suk, and Shostakovich works, released by EMI, won Germany's prestigious ECHO Award. With Maria Ahn Music, she has produced the trio's latest album, “Blue”, a musical diary of the ensemble, along with new singles and music videos such as "Nuvole Bianche" and "Candybox." Maria's deep admiration for David Bowie inspired her to release “Je T'aime Bowie”, a cello solo EP featuring her interpretations of his iconic music, in collaboration with Emmy-winning composer Mark Baechle. Her latest release, a cello cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” showcases her ongoing dedication to innovative musical projects. Maria Ahn Music continues to commission and develop new works, with recent compositions by Dusan Bogdanovic, Atanas Ourkouzounov, and Rubin Khodeli—each dedicated to the memory of her late mother, Young Joo Rhee. This year, Maria Ahn Music will release new EPs from both the Ahn Trio and (((April 33))).

Maria's commitment to arts education began early in her career with the Lincoln Center Institute and the Aspen Music Festival's outreach programs. Maria Ahn has given master classes throughout North America, Asia, and Europe. A graduate of the Juilliard School of Music, she shares the widely regarded pedagogy of her mentors Aldo Parisot, Harvey Shapiro, and David Finckel. She has also served as head of the Strings Department at the Harlem School of the Arts. The Ahn Trio’s performance at the prestigious TED Conference and their invitation as the only classical group to perform at the iTunes Festival in the UK further solidified their global influence. In 2011, the trio had the honor of performing at the White House for the Obamas. Together, Maria and the Ahn Trio have performed across all fifty states and internationally, earning rave reviews for their chamber music collaborations with diverse art forms. The trio was also selected by People magazine as three of the "50 Most Beautiful People" and has been featured in Vogue, GQ, Visionaire, Glamour, and TIME, among other prestigious publications. They’ve appeared in advertisements for GAP and Anne Klein, photographed by renowned photographers such as Arthur Elgort, Ellen von Unwerth, Patrick Demarchelier, and Walter Chin.

Photo by Artur Elgort

The Ahn Trio, now with their Grammy-winning violinist member Zach Brock, recently captivated audiences with sold-out performances of Mark O'Connor's Triple Concerto and recital programs in Seoul and Yeosu, Korea. Maria's cutting-edge digital music ensemble (((April33)))—"Jammin' with Planet Earth”—with Dr. Tae Hong Park and pianist Lucia, has already performed at some of the world's most prestigious computer music forum stages, including NYC’s IRCAM, ICMC in Seoul, and FARM in Milan, showcasing a bold fusion of technology and music.

Additionally, Maria Ahn Music also offers specialized music consulting services, leveraging over twenty years of diverse experience in the industry. With a keen understanding of how to amplify an artist’s reach and impact, Maria provides tailored guidance to help artists connect with wider audiences across various platforms. Whether curating unique concert experiences, producing albums, creating music videos, or offering expert consultation for film music, Maria and her team work closely with clients to bring their creative visions to life, ensuring each project resonates with its intended audience.

Maria plays a Rostropovich Strad cello made for her by renowned luthier Sam Zygmuntowicz and the Ahn Trio is a Steinway Artist Ensemble Group.