Kami Ghavi Helm
Faculty: Strings
Education:
Doctor of Musical Arts in Violin Performance from Rice University, Shepherd School of Music; Dissertation: When Persian Traditional Music Meets Western Violin Tradition. Advanced Musical Studies in Violin Performance at Carnegie Mellon University. Master of Music in Violin Performance from Carnegie Mellon University. Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance with Honors from the Royal Conservatory of Brussels. Awards & Honors: France on Campus Award, Second Prize. Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation Scholarship. Anne and Charles Duncan Concertmaster Chair Scholarship. Sviatoslav Richter Grant Recipient. Carnegie Mellon University Full Scholarship. Certifications & Fellowships: Malcolm W. Perkins Teaching Fellowship at Rice University. Teaching Fellow in Music Theory and Chamber Music at Rice University. Teaching Assistant in Violin at Carnegie Mellon University.
Bio:
Dr. Kami Ghavi Helm is a French-born violinist and educator newly based in the Chicago area. A graduate of Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, he holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in violin performance. His work spans solo, chamber, and orchestral performance, exploring classical repertoire as well as Middle Eastern music and folk tradition. Deeply interested in the connections between music, literature, and visual arts, he has created award-winning interdisciplinary projects and original compositions. His recent research and compositions draw on his Persian heritage, blending traditional and Western musical elements. With over fifteen years of teaching experience, Dr. Ghavi Helm is passionate about inspiring students through creativity and a lifelong curiosity for musical expression.
Favorite Musicians:
My favorite composers are Prokofiev and Tchaikovsky
Quote:
“Music is a way of expressing oneself and connecting to others. You also get to learn about yourself on a deeper level and express your artistic ideas.”
