Christine Tokatlian is a concert pianist praised for her academic distinctions and passionate performance. In 2008 she was awarded the honorary "Eleni Myconiou" prize for artistic excellence by the Athens Academy. At the age of six Christine was already taking piano lessons at the National Conservatory of Greece which led to a Soloist’s diploma with a grade of Excellence by unanimous vote and First Prize, under the supervision of Manolis Kokalis. Studying under renowned pianists including Dimitris Toufexis, Yu Chun Yee and Bernard Roberts, between 1996 and 1999, Christine receives her Bachelor of Arts in Music from Deree College, and post-graduate diplomas in Advanced Piano Performance from the Royal College of Music in London (PGDip, PGAdvDip).

Performing around Greece, the United Kingdom, Italy, Lebanon, Germany and Armenia alongside distinguished artists including the Komitas Quartet, Christine’s recitals include works by classical, romantic and contemporary composers, as well as new-experimental music all performed with her distinct temperament, undeniably fueled by her Armenian descent. And with the same passionate spirit she premiered Khatchaturian’s Piano Concerto with the Thessaloniki State Orchestra in the Thessaloniki Concert Hall in 2010.

Christine also communicates her talent through teaching as she is currently a professor of music at DEREE - The American College of Greece and a piano professor at the Meandrio Conservatory.

As an MPhil/PhD candidate in performance at Goldsmiths – University of London she has extended her research in contemporary Armenian piano music presenting her academic work in conferences in Istanbul and London.

"Armenian Piano Images", Christine’s first personal recording with works of contemporary Armenian composers, some of which are world premieres, serves as a window for her audience to see into her dream of magical musical performance.

     — Christine Tokatlian’s bright future is brilliantly marked by her virtues and her artistic vocation. Her radiant interpretation is defined by her impassionate expression, her strict commitment and respect to the score, her thorough care for the detail in performance and her complete dedication and love for the art of music. These qualities are evident due to her natural gift, on the one hand, and to her youthful musical momentum, on the other. We are still expecting more to hear from her either within her live performances or through her recordings. Listening to the ‘Armenian Piano Images’ her audience can become aware of her tremendous advancement through her bursting technique and most of all through her academic maturity.

Hagop Gelalian, November 2011

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