THE SEATTLE SYMPHONY ANNOUNCES THE RETIREMENT OF A BELOVED LONGTIME MUSICIAN

ROBERT & CLODAGH ASH PICCOLO ZARTOUHI DOMBOURIAN-EBY RETIRES AFTER FOUR DECADES OF MUSICAL CONTRIBUTIONS

Seattle, WA – The Seattle Symphony announces the retirement of a longtime member of the orchestra, a player who has made a great and long-lasting impact: Robert & Clodagh Ash Piccolo and Flute Zartouhi (Zart) Dombourian-Eby. She will conclude her 43-year career with the Symphony at the close of the 2024/2025 season.

Dombourian-Eby has made an incredible impact on the orchestra and the community during her tenure. She was on the original committee that selected the site for Benaroya Hall and has served on its board since before the doors opened. Over the years, she has taken on several leadership roles within the organization, including serving on the orchestra committee and as union treasurer. She also represented the musicians on the Seattle Symphony Board and chaired the pension trustees.

Dombourian-Eby has been a member of the National Flute Association (NFA) for many years, serving as both its President and chair of its endowment committee, among many other roles. In August of 2025, she will be awarded the NFA’s Lifetime Achievement Award, given annually to recognize significant and lasting impact to the flute world, honoring accomplished luminaries in flute-related fields. Dombourian-Eby is also being honored with the NFA’s Distinguished Service Award, presented to an individual who has demonstrated profound, dedicated service and commitment to the NFA. She is the first person to receive both awards.

“If you have crossed paths with Zart you have no doubt seen the tremendous impact she has wherever she goes,” said Associate Principal Flute Jeffrey Barker in a speech honoring Zart before a recent concert. “Zart is always asking what more she can do and always going way above and beyond any reasonable expectations. It is a work ethic and a commitment to service like I’ve never seen...I honestly believe that she might be the greatest piccolo player of all time, and for 43 years, she was ours.”

“People have told me going to the Symphony allows them to unplug and just get lost in the music,” Dombourian-Eby said. “But it’s a two-way street — music brings people joy or helps them in their sorrows, and it gives me purpose. It’s been an amazing thrill and privilege to get to have a job doing something that you truly love — in my case, making music. Thanks to you all for making my 43 years here an incredible ride.”

ZART DOMBOURIAN-EBY

Zart Dombourian-Eby is regularly featured as both a flute and piccolo soloist with the Seattle Symphony. A native of New Orleans, she has performed on concert series and given master classes throughout the United States and internationally, including the first piccolo recital ever performed in China. She has served on the faculty at the University of Washington and Pacific Lutheran University. Her solo CD, in Shadow, light, is available on Crystal Records, and her edition of the three Vivaldi piccolo concertos is published by Theodore Presser. Dombourian-Eby has served as both President and Convention Program Chair for the National Flute Association, the professional association of over 4,000 flutists from all over the world. Read more about Dombourian-Eby in her Meet the Musicians profile.

SEATTLE SYMPHONY

The Seattle Symphony unleashes the power of music, brings people together and lifts the human spirit. Recognized as one of the “most vital American orchestras” (NPR), the Seattle Symphony is internationally acclaimed for its inventive programming, community-minded initiatives and superb recordings on the Seattle Symphony Media label. With a strong commitment to new music and a legacy of over 150 recordings, the orchestra has won five Grammy Awards, 27 Grammy nominations, two Emmy Awards and was named Gramophone’s 2018 Orchestra of the Year. The Symphony performs in Benaroya Hall in the heart of downtown Seattle from September through July, reaching over 750,000 people annually through live performances and radio broadcasts.

BENAROYA HALL 

Benaroya Hall, the home of the Seattle Symphony, is located in downtown Seattle. Opened in 1998, Benaroya Hall is the most-visited performing arts venue in Seattle. It has received numerous awards, including a 2001 American Institute of Architects (AIA) National Honor Award for outstanding architecture. Benaroya Hall has three versatile performance venues, the S. Mark Taper Foundation Auditorium, the Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall and Octave 9: Raisbeck Music Center, all renowned for their pristine acoustics, luxurious design and prime location. For additional information, including rental information, event listings and public tour schedules, please visit benaroyahall.org.

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Zartouhi Dombourian-Eby’s position is generously underwritten as the Robert & Clodagh Ash Piccolo.