Who is Alec Van Khajadourian? 5-year-old becomes youngest person ever to perform at Carnegie Hall

On Sunday, July 20, Alec Van Khajadourian made his debut at Carnegie Hall in Manhattan.

The five-year-old musician performed during the New York Classical Debut Awards Gala Concert. Pietro Molteni, the founder and artistic director of the prestigious Gala Concert, spoke to the New York Post, claiming that Alec was the youngest ever to perform at the event and the venue. He said,

“Alec is our youngest performer ever. And, according to my records, the youngest performer in the history of Carnegie Hall.”

However, the representatives of the Manhattan venue couldn’t confirm the claim due to the absence of “complete records of the Hall’s earliest days,” according to the Post. Earlier this month, the piano prodigy also made his Walt Disney Concert Hall debut in Los Angeles.

Alec Van Khajadourian, who hails from Los Angeles, began his musical journey at an early age. According to his official profile on the New York Classical Debut Awards’ website, the young pianist displayed his musical abilities when he was around two years old. Alec used to hum melodies and match them to the piano keys.

Khajadourian has an Instagram account under the handle @alecvanmusic, which is managed by his parents, Diana and Joe. According to his online profile, the young virtuoso began performing publicly last year at the age of four. The five-year-old musical prodigy has played pieces by celebrated composers such as Beethoven, Bach, Gillock, and Burgmüller.

During a conversation with Zartonk Media, Diana Sanders said,

“Whatever note he [Alec] hears, he can identify it perfectly. And he can sing it or play it.”

When speaking to the outlet, Alec named Friedrich Burgmüller and Ludwig van Beethoven as his favorite composers.

Alec Van Khajadourian, a five-year-old piano prodigy, has won prestigious awards at multiple competitions

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Alec Van (@alecvanmusic)

In March 2025, the five-year-old was named the first prize winner at Charleston International’s Winter Music Competition. The following month, Alec became one of the 2025 New York Classical Debut Award winners, earning him an opportunity to perform at New York City’s Carnegie Hall.

In May, the results for Los Angeles’ “Golden Classical Music Awards” were announced, confirming Alec Van Khajadourian as one of the first-prize winners. The child prodigy also received the Exceptional Young Talent Special Prize. Following the announcement, the five-year-old performed at Walt Disney Concert Hall in July, where he also met Gustavo Dudamel, director of the LA Philharmonic Orchestra, according to People.

Alec’s mother, Diana Sanders, told Zartonk Media in July that he keeps his hair “long and bushy just like Gustavo’s.” At four years old, the young musician’s goal was to perform at Carnegie Hall, his mom confirmed during a past conversation with the outlet. He eventually achieved it on Sunday, July 20, 2025.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Alec Van (@alecvanmusic)

Ahead of his performance, the Exceptional Young Talent Special Prize winner told the New York Post,

“I can’t wait to get on stage at Carnegie Hall and play for everyone. I’m so excited!”

His father, Joe Khajadourian, highlighted how performing at Carnegie Hall could positively impact Alec:

“Taking the stage at such a prestigious venue allows these young musicians to see themselves as capable of achieving the highest levels of their craft. It’s an extraordinary motivational boost for a young artist, who devotes countless hours to studying music in their room and pursuing one of the most demanding careers in the world.”

The child prodigy’s mother added,

"It's beautiful to watch Alec share his love for the piano with so many people. and to inspire young kids to pursue music.”

After his respective debuts at NYC and LA venues, Alec Van Khajadourian’s parents offered a glimpse of his performances through separate Instagram posts. Speaking about his Carnegie Hall debut, Alec described it as a “dream come true” in his video.