Alfira Ahmatjan
jazz vocalist, pianist, composer, and educatoR
MM in Jazz Performance (CUNY)
BM in Composition (Shanghai Conservatory of Music)
Alfira Ahmatjan (Jazzfira) is a New York City–based jazz vocalist, pianist, composer, and educator. As the first Uyghur jazz singer in history, she pioneered Uyghur Jazz—an original musical language that unites the rich musical traditions of Uyghur culture with the harmonic language and improvisational freedom of jazz.
Born into a musical family, Alfira began performing at the age of three and studying classical piano at six. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Composition from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music and a Master of Music in Jazz Performance from the Aaron Copland School of Music (CUNY) in New York. As a performer, Alfira performs regularly throughout New York City. While deeply rooted in the jazz tradition, her performances are shaped by both the timeless language of jazz and the musical heritage that defines her artistic identity, creating a sound that is both authentic and culturally distinctive. Equally accomplished as a pianist and composer, she is the recipient of multiple international piano competition awards, while her original compositions have been commissioned and premiered internationally, including commissions and premieres at the Silk Road International Music Festival in Germany.
An experienced educator with more than a decade of teaching experience, Alfira teaches piano, composition, vocal, improvisation, music theory, and ear training to students of all ages. Her teaching philosophy combines solid technical foundations with creativity, performance, and artistic curiosity, encouraging every student to develop confidence, musical independence, and their own unique voice. She currently teaches at The New School / Mannes School of Music and has also served as a jazz performance and improvisation coach for the Big Apple Music Festival and the Big Apple International Modern Music Competition.
Whether performing on stage, composing new works, or mentoring the next generation of musicians, Alfira believes that music is a powerful way to connect cultures, inspire creativity, and tell stories that transcend language.