What We Do

YerazArt is a Boston , USA-based 501 c (3) non-profit organization dedicated to resolving the challenges of young musical talent in Armenia through concert tours, professional development, and instrument purchase programs.

Current Activities:

• Concert Tours- Our Yerevan-based 17-member advisory board panel selects deserving young musicians to participate in the "YerazArt Young Musicians from Armenia " tour program every six month. All local Armenian students are welcome to audition in an open competition. Those selected go on tour for three weeks visiting different cities in North America to perform in front of a diverse and mixed audience base. The aim of the YA Tour Program is twofold: 1. to give YerazArt program participants an opportunity to gain concert experience outside of their region while also instilling confidence in each student to reach their individual potential. 2. To share the cultural and talent of Armenia with music enthusiasts in musical venues around the world.
• Local Concerts in Armenia- On a semi-annual basis, YerazArt organizes local concert in Armenia at small, more intimate venues to showcase past, present, and potential future YerazArt participants to an open audience. The goal of these concerts is to 1. To give each student an opportunity to gain more concert experience on a periodic basis in front of local crowds, which includes family members, teachers, and general music enthusiasts. 2. To showcase local Armenian talent to general music enthusiasts who may want to support the YerazArt program either personally or professionally.

Projected Activities:

• Professional Development
• Master Classes- The YerazArt Master Class Program allows participating young musicians to work directly with internationally renowned teachers and performers upon their visit to Armenia . Master classes are often music workshops where the master listens to each student individually (in front of an audience) and gives advice/a critique on how the musician can play better. Many serious classical musicians have noted how master classes are the most effective facet of their professional development.
• International competitions- YerazArt recognizes the need for talented young Armenian musicians to participate in international competitions in order to display their talents and skills to a wider base of industry professionals. We propose a program where YerazArt pays for all travel costs and fees associated with participation in top musical competitions. The importance of international competitions cannot be understated as they provide exposure and resume building experiences for each student.
• Scholarships- Due to economic challenges for most students in Armenia , acceptance into renowned music conservatories and musical academies worldwide does not necessarily mean that student actually go. The YerazArt scholarship program addresses the need for students to be funded basic stipends for room and board while attending music schools.
• Professional Networking- The YerazArt advisory board and staff have a strong combined professional networking presence in Armenia and North America . Each promising and deserving YerazArt student will benefit from careful direction in order to be accepted into top music schools, make sound career decisions, and inform them about opportunities in the career of music.

• Instrument Purchase Program- Due to economic hardship for many music students in Armenia , YerazArt is poised to provide an instrument donation/purchase program for deserving young Armenian musicians. YerazArt will identify the needs of each student and contact various instrument makers/dealers in order to negotiate the best price for purchasing the instrument in need. Through community outreach and fundraising efforts, YerazArt hopes to purchase proper instruments for each student in need. Currently, most music students borrow instruments from their schools or teachers in order to practice everyday. Owning their own instruments would give each student a fair opportunity to get better at their craft.

YerazArt Information:

• Founded in 2004 by Noubar Afeyan and Raffi Festekjian
• Executive Director: Raffi Meneshian
• YA Country Director: Arman Padaryan

YerazArt
PO Box 255064
Boston , MA 02125
Email: yerazart@gmail.com
URL: www.yerazart.org