
Biography
Ariana is a versatile singer and multi-instrumentalist, dedicated to sharing her love of music through live performance. With a voice that transports listeners to another era, she has been delighting audiences for many years with her diverse musical offerings, spanning many styles and languages.
Ariana's musical journey began in early childhood, encouraged by her mother, a music teacher and her family's love of music. She studied various instruments, including violin, saxophone, clarinet, and piano, and performed in multiple wind ensembles and jazz bands in her native Nova Scotia. After high school, she discovered her passion for singing and became an independent artist, performing and writing music with her then-partner Andy Flinn for over a decade. During this period Ariana produced eleven CDs and contributed to numerous recordings for other artists.
Her musical path took a new turn when she fell in love with French chanson, leading her to create a tribute show to the legendary Édith Piaf in 2015. The show, which paid homage to Piaf's legacy and the classic concert style of the 1900s, captured the interest of her Canadian public and enjoyed many performances around the country. Ariana then expanded the show to include the works of Jacques Brel, adopting the dress codes and personas of both artists to create an immersive experience.
In 2016 Ariana and her sisters Sahara and Kamila Nasr and brother-in-law Ken Shorley, founded the ASHK ensemble. This family project showcases the poetic works of their late father Amin Nasr, a Sufi poet from Afghanistan, and the group's unique musical fusion which reflects their diverse cultural background and influences.
2016 also saw the formation of her duo with Curtis Thorpe, a project fueled by a love of improvisation, of musical arrangement and multi-instrumentalism; Curtis plays guitar, percussion and harmonica simultaneously while Ariana sings and takes liberties with her soprano saxophone and sometimes accordion or violin. The duo delights in making new arrangements of French, international, and jazz songs.
In 2023, Ariana made her solo debut at the Carrefour Mondial de l'Accordéon in Montmagny, Quebec, performing her interpretations of classic popular songs from around the world, accompanying herself on chromatic button accordion.
Ariana has been based in Montréal since 2017 and continues to tour as a solo artist, in duo with Curtis Thorpe, and as a member of ASHK ensemble.



