Carson and Suren both grew up in Ottawa, and were frequent adversaries in local music competitions as kids, often tying for second place behind their more talented contemporaries. After going their separate ways for post-secondary education, they reconnected in their twenties to perform together for the first time. They found that they had much common musical ground, including a desire to place creativity at the center of their musical process. They decided to bury the hatchet of their childhood rivalry, and founded Duo Octavian in 2016. They have made regular use of the two spectacular grand pianos housed at Venturing Hills Concert Studio ever since.