Aram Demirjian is Music Director of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra and a frequent guest conductor with leading orchestras across the United States. Winner of the 2020 Sir Georg Solti Conducting Award from The Solti Foundation U.S., he is widely praised for his “rejuvenating” leadership (Washington Post), “graceful, energetic direction” (Sarasota Herald-Tribune), and an engaging, “even electric” presence on the podium (San Francisco Classical Voice).

Now in his 11th season as Music Director, Demirjian recently signed a contract extension through the 2029-30 season, continuing a tenure that has brought the KSO national recognition for innovative programming, artistic excellence, and a commitment to American music, living composers, and artists from historically underrepresented communities.

Under his leadership, the KSO was selected as one of four orchestras featured at SHIFT: A Festival of American Orchestras, presented by The Kennedy Center and Washington Performing Arts. In 2022, Demirjian and the orchestra were featured on PBS's Craft in America, documenting the creation and premiere of Michael Schachter's Violin Concerto: Cycle of Life, a joint commission with the Knoxville Museum of Art performed by Tessa Lark. The KSO is also a regular presence at the internationally recognized Big Ears Festival.

One of the signature artistic achievements of Demirjian's tenure was 9 for 90, the KSO's most ambitious commissioning initiative to date. Created to celebrate the orchestra's 90th Anniversary Season, the project brought nine world premieres to audiences across the KSO's Masterworks, Chamber, Q Series, Concertmaster, and Youth Ensemble concerts. During his tenure, the orchestra has introduced more than 115 works to its repertoire, including 70 by living composers, and has commissioned or co-commissioned more than 40 new works.

A passionate advocate for connecting music and community, Demirjian has championed collaborations with organizations throughout Knoxville, including Clarence Brown Theatre, Appalachian Ballet Company, and the Knoxville Museum of Art. He founded KSO: UnStaged, a series of immersive performances in nontraditional venues, and has led projects ranging from site-integrated performances at Knoxville Botanical Garden to performances of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony incorporating American Sign Language.

As a guest conductor, Demirjian has appeared with The Philadelphia Orchestra and the symphonies of Detroit, Houston, Nashville, San Diego, San Jose, and St. Louis, among many others, as well as internationally with orchestras in Mexico, Switzerland, and Canada. He is also widely recognized as an interpreter of Handel's Messiah and a dedicated mentor to emerging musicians.

Demirjian holds degrees from Harvard University and the New England Conservatory. A native of the Boston area, he lives in Knoxville with his wife, Caraline, their daughter, Ani, and their goldendoodle, Kermit.