Nadir Aslam is a violinist specializing in baroque performance practice. Nadir was hospitalized in August of 2015 for a recurring pnuemothorax (collapsed lung). It was decided along with his surgeon Dr. Andrew Kaufman at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York to operate in order to repair the lung and keep it from collapsing again. It was during his hospitalization and recovery that he realized the power of music to heal.

“Being hospitalized is one of the most terrifying, traumatic and depressing things a person can experience. Luckily for me I had my friends and family with me to help me through my difficult situation and take care of me. When you are in a hospital in pain unable to breathe surrounded by the constant humming and beeping of machines you wish for just a moment of respite.

I’ll never forget when my moment of respite came. I was sitting in my bed at Mt. Sinai staring at the wall in misery when all of a sudden I could hear Chopin Etudes being played on the Steinway in the hospital atrium 7 stories below. It touched me and took me out of my misery and gave me hope. It was very powerful and I forgot for a second where I was. I didn't want the music to ever stop. I am so grateful to that pianist that took the time to play.

I swore right then and there that if I got out alive I would bring music to other patients like me who were scared, depressed and in pain.” 

Nadir studied at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Wien (Vienna), and the Mannes College of Music. He has performed throughout North America, Central America and Europe. He currently resides in Brooklyn, NY.