Diana Adamyan, violin

 

Born in 2000 in Yerevan, into a family of musicians. Diana studied at Tchaikovsky School of Music with distinguished teacher of RA, Prof. Petros Haykazyan and at Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory with Professor Eduard Tadevosyan.
She has won the prizes at the 2nd “Renaissance” Competition-Festival (Gyumri, 2010, 1st prize), the 13th “Nutcracker” TV Competition (Moscow, 2012, 2nd prize and Silver “Nutcracker”), the International H. Bogdanyan Competition-Festival, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the violinist (Yerevan, 2014, 1st prize), the 9th International Tchaikovsky Youth Competition (Novosibirsk, 2015, 2nd prize).
Diana is a member of the “New Names” program of Armenia. Since 2012, she is under the patronage of the Armenian General Benevolent Union and “YerazArt” organization (Boston, USA).
In June 2014, Diana Adamyan was invited by Maestro Pinchas Zukerman to participate under his guidance in summer masterclasses of the Ottawa National Arts Center (Canada). In October 2014, she was again invited to Ottawa to appear as a soloist in Gala Concert of the NAC School, alongside with Pinchas Zukerman, Itzhak Perlman, Jessica Linnebach and other renowned musicians. In June 2015, Diana took part in masterclasses of NAC School. The same year, within the framework of the Yerevan Perspectives International Music Festival, dedicated to the 100th year commemoration of the
Armenian Genocide, Diana performed the Bach Double Concerto for 2 Violins at London Cadogan Hall, together with Pinchas Zukerman and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
From 2016 to 2017, Diana continuously attended masterclasses led by Leonidas Kavakos that took place one time a month, supported by DakApp Foundation and YerazArt organisation.
In June 2017, within the frames of the Yerevan Perspectives International Music Festival, Diana Adamyan performed the Khachaturian Violin Concerto with Tchaikovsky Big Symphony
Orchestra (TSO) under the baton of Maestro Vladimir Fedoseyev. Diana is a scholarship holder of the International Academy of Music in Liechtenstein and has participated in the intensive music weeks and activities offered by the Academy every autumn and spring. In 2016, 2017, 2018 she has participated in the training weeks of this Academy with a famous Professor Ana Chumachenco, who invited her to enter her class in the Hochschule für Musik und Theater München to continue her education, which she did in 2018.
In 2018 she participated in the Yehudi Menuhin International Competition and won the 1st prize in the Senior group. Due to this victory she received numerous proposals to participate in the concerts with leading orchestras of the world. In March she is invited to participate in the RPO Gala Evening and in June 2019 she is performing two concerts with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in UK. Besides, she is going to participate in the HIMA festival in Iceland and Seiji Ozawa Academy in Switzerland.
Diana Adamyan plays the violin crafted by Urs Mächler (Germany). After the Yehudi Menuhin International Competition, she was awarded to play Nicolaus Gagliano violin from the collection of Christophe Landon. Her contract to play this wonderful violin was kindly extended by the owner for one more year.

https://www.rpo.co.uk/whats-on/eventdetail/1077/-/orchestral-masters

 

 

Eva Gevorgyan, piano

 

At the tender age of just 14, Armenian/Russian pianist Eva Gevorgyan has astonished audiences across Europe, Israel and the USA with her deeply felt musicality, dazzling technique and mature musical intelligence. A student at the prestigious Central Music School for Gifted Children at the Moscow Conservatory since she was six years old (where she studies with Natalia Trull), Eva is gaining recognition as one of the brightest stars to emerge from Russia in recent years. In 2019, Eva became the Discovery Winner at the ICMA (International Classical Music Awards). She is among 24 pianists who went through to the 1st round of The Cliburn Competition, and was named a piano student-in-residence at the Verbier Festival this year..

 

https://pianodao.com/2019/04/13/the-makings-of-a-superstar/?fbclid=IwAR1FNKKdqeR3TNOjKxZBOs2TduAVnFUh35Al3r5taCJ7QMsqwynTiMQQ138

 

 

  

 

 

Daniel Melkonyan, trumpet

 

Daniel Melkonyan was born in 1999 in Yerevan in the family of musicians. He has been interested in music from the early age. At the age of seven he entered the special musical school after P. Tchaikovsky where he studied until 2017 . Daniel played solo concerts, took part in several concerts in a great academic halls in Yerevan and became a laureate of International Competitions such as:

 

• “Renaissance” International Festival-Contest of the musician-performers in Gyumri. 1st Prize (2010, 2014)

• “The Games of Navasard” in Yerevan. 1st Prize (2013)

• “Harmony” the 2nd International Georgian-Armenian Friendship Festival. The “Audience sympathy” award. Since 2013 Daniel has played the trumpet which was given to him graciously from the “YerazArt” foundation. With the support of the “YerazArt” Daniel took part in the

• “Nutcracker” International Television contest for young musicians in Moscow, where he took the 3rd Prize and entitled a Laureate of the XV “Nutcracker”. Also with the support of the “YerazArt” Daniel took part in the Concert of

• Denis Matsuev Foundation “New names of the CIS countries'' in Voronezh (2015). On the 4th of June of the same year Daniel took part in the concert of

• The International Festival “Moscow meets friends” of Spivakov Foundation. The concert took place in Moscow. In 2016 Daniel was awarded

• Yamaha Music Gulf 2016 scholarship in Dubai.

• “Special Prize” and “Prize for The Youngest Participant” on 8th International Competition for Trumpet Players of Moscow conservatory. In 2017 Daniel participated in

• International Competition for Junior Trumpet Players in Stara Zagora Bulgaria and was awarded the 1st prize. In present Daniel is studying in Yerevan State Conservatory after Komitas and making new programs for continuation of his creative and career growth. From 2019 he has become enrolled to appear with the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra in the trumpet section.

 

 

 

 

Sofya Vardanyan, violin

 

Born in 1999 in Yerevan, into a family of musicians. Sofya took up violin at the age of seven. She has studied at Yerevan Tchaikovsky School of Music for gifted children with Prof. Alexander Kosemyan (2007-2014), and from 2014-2017 under the tutelage of Prof. Artashes Mkrtchyan. Sofya has had many performances in regular concerts of Tchaikovsky School of Music and has appeared with annual recitals at various venues.
In 2012 she took part in the 2nd International “New Names” Festival of the Young Musicians and Performers by appearing with the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra (ANPO) and the Armenian State Chamber Orchestra. In 2015, Sofya played the part of 2nd violin in the performance of the Brahms Sextet within the framework of the 9th Yerevan International Music Festival, collaborating with famous violinists Ida Kavafian and Levon Chilingirian.
Sofya Vardanyan has participated in master classes given by celebrated musicians such as Vadim Repin, Kim Kashkashian, Sergey Krylov, Daishin Kashimoto, Boris Brovtsyn, Akiko Suwanai, Pavel Vernikov, Ani & Ida Kavafians, Diemut Poppen, Latica Honda-Rosenberg, Sergei Ostrovsky and others. In May, 2016 Sofya took part in master classes of Prof. Laurent Albrecht Breuninger, organized by Deutsch-Armenische Musikgesellschaft, with a performance in the closing concert.
In June 2016, Sofya performed the Bach Double Concerto with ANPO, under the baton of Maestro Eduard Topchjan, on the occasion of the Europe Day celebration in Armenia.
Later in 2016, within the framework of the 10th Yerevan International Music Festival, Sofya Vardanyan appeared in chamber music concerts performing Shostakovich’s Quintet (as 2nd violin), Levon Chaushian’s Quartet No.6 (as 2nd violin) and Dvorak’s Terzetto for 2 violins and viola, performing with renowned musicians Boris Brovtsyn, Diemut Poppen, Boris Andrianov, among others.
In 2017 Sofya was invited to take part in Moritzburg Music Festival by renowned German cellist Jan Vogler. She participated in ten days orchestral workshop as well as in chamber music concerts, winning the Moritzburg Festival Academy Prize for the interpretation of Hungarian composer Miklós Rózsa’s Sonata for 2 Violins (in the nomination of the 20th century composer’s work).
From September 2017, Sofya Vardanyan studies in Germany at Detmold Musik Hochschule with Prof. Maria-Elisabeth Lott.

 

Lilit Khachatryan – violin

Born in Yerevan in 1991. In 1998 she entered the Sayat Nova Music College and studied in the class of Professor Souren Akhnazaryan till 2005. From 2006 she studies in the Tchaikovsky Music College with Assistant Professor Armen Haruoutyunyan.
In 2003 she participated in the Emin Khachatryan Festival and Competition and was awarded the 2nd Prize (no 1st prize was awarded to anyone). In 2003 she participated in the Spendiaryan Music College Competition-Festival and was nominated as a laureate.
From 2003 she is a bursar of the Spivakov Fund. Appeared in the New Names programs.

Haroutyun Chkolyan – duduk

Born in 1991 in Gavar. In 1998 he entered Henrik Talalyan Music School in Gavar, class of Ashot Ghazanchyan, majoring in shvi. In 1999, aged 6, he participated in the Regional Republican Festival Competition and was awarded the First prize. In 2000 the family moved to Yerevan, and he entered Tchaikovsky Music School, class of Samvel Yeknapeshyan. In 2002 he completed his shvi studies and continued education majoring in clarinet, class of Merited Artist of RA Professor Souren Shindyan. In 2003 he entered the same school’s department of folk instruments, and studied duduk with Merited Artist of RA Assistant Professor Gevork Dabagyan. He numerous times participated in the presentation concerts of Tchaikovsky Music College. In 2005 he participated in “Delphic games” III International Juniors competition-festival (2005, diploma, Ukraine). From 2006 he is a bursar of Spivakov Fund. Toured USA within YerazArt program in 2006.

Serine Poghosyan – folk singer

Born in 1992 in Yerevan. In 1999 she entered Ashugh Djivani Folk Music School and the same year she entered Sayat Nova Music School and studies with Naira Grigoryan majoring in piano.
She studies Armenian folk music with Siranush Galstyan, a soloist of Sayat Nova Ensemble.
In 2005 she participated in the Sayat Nova South Caucasus Competition and was awarded the diploma. The same year, she participated in the Kanaz Folk Music Competition and was awarded the First Prize there. Appeared with concerts in major cities of Armenia.

Nara Avetisyan – piano

Born in 1992 in Yerevan. She entered the Spendiaryan Music Colleg in 1998 to the class of Professor Arkuhi Harutiunyan. In October 1999 she won the Laureateship in the “Talents of the End of Century” competition. In June 2000 the first recital took place in Komitas Chamber Music Hall in Yerevan. In June 2000 she won Laureateship at Balys Dvarionas International Competition in Lithuania and was awarded with special prizes for the best performance of Baroque work, for the best performance of Romantic work and for the youngest competitor.
In December 2001 she won the 1st Prize (category “A Junior”) and 2nd prize (category “A”) at the VII International Piano Competition “Konzerteum” in Greece. Since 2002, a member of piano trio (teacher A. Talalyan). In October 2003 won 1st Prize-Assoluto at the XXVI International Piano Competition in Agropoli (Italy). In May 2004 had recitals in Vienna and Munich. In 2004 she took master classes in Suzdal with Professors Roschina (piano) and Oganezova (chamber music). Participated in concerts with the Yerevan Philharmonic Orchestra (2000) and Youth Chamber Orchestra (2002). Since November 2004 her teacher is a well-known pianist Professor Karine Ohanyan. Has made recitals in the Komitas Chamber Music Hall in 2005 and 2006.
In April 2006 she participated in concert with the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra (Rachmaninov, Concerto N21 mov.). In April 2006 she was awarded a scholarship from Constantine Orbelian International Fund of Culture. Nara was honoured with perfect references of the famous musicians of Armenia, Germany, USA, England, Lithuania, Greece, Austria and Israel.

Meri Khojayan – violin

Born in 1991 in Yerevan. Studies at the Spendiaryan Music College in the class of People’s Artist of RA Professor Eduard Tadevosyan. Meri is the Laureate of many International and Republican competitions and festivals: “Valsesia Musica” II International competition (2001, 1st prize and Gold Medal, Italy), German-Armenian “Hildegard Pabelick- Jentsch Preis” II International competition (2001, 2nd prize, Armenia), I Television Republican competition of the 3rd millennium “Elitist generation” (2002, Gold medal, Armenia), Emin Khachaturian Young Players National competition (2003, 2nd Prize, Armenia), “Delphic games” II International Juniors competition-festival (2004, 3rd Prize,Moldova), A. Gabrielyan and S. Aslamazyan Young Violinists and Cellists VI Republican competition (2004, 1st prize, Armenia), A. Spendiaryan Young musicians National competition-festival (2005, 1st Prize, Armenia), II Dubai International Peace Music Festival For Young Virtuosi (2005, 3rd Prize, UAE).
Took master-classes in Moscow . Was awarded diploma of UNESCO “For a bright personality and diligence” in 2004. She participated in the First Pan-Armenian Cultural Festival “One Nation, One Culture” (2004) and music Festival “National Gallery” (2005, 2006). She participated in the programs of New Names and toured France, Great Britain, USA, UAE and Russia.

Gayane Khachatryan – cello

Born in Yerevan in 1993. In 2000 entered the Sayat Nova Music College, class of Assistant Professor Aram Talalyan. In 2003 continued education in the Spendiaryan Music College. In 2006 she studies at the Tchaikovsky Music College in the class of Assistant Professor Aram Talalyan.
In 2003 she participated in the Emin Khachatryan Festival and Competition and was awarded the First Prize there. In 2005 she participated in Spendiaryan Competition and was nominated as a laureate. In 2006she participated in the “Shchelkunchik” VII International Competition of Young Musicians and was awarded the diploma and a Special Prize from the Jury for the Best Performance (Russia). She was a bursar of the Spivakov Fund and Orbelian Fund. Appeared in the New Names programs.

Gayane Khachatryan – cello

Born in Yerevan in 1993. In 2000 entered the Sayat Nova Music College, class of Assistant Professor Aram Talalyan. In 2003 continued education in the Spendiaryan Music College. In 2006 she studies at the Tchaikovsky Music College in the class of Assistant Professor Aram Talalyan.
In 2003 she participated in the Emin Khachatryan Festival and Competition and was awarded the First Prize there. In 2005 she participated in Spendiaryan Competition and was nominated as a laureate. In 2006she participated in the “Shchelkunchik” VII International Competition of Young Musicians and was awarded the diploma and a Special Prize from the Jury for the Best Performance (Russia). She was a bursar of the Spivakov Fund and Orbelian Fund. Appeared in the New Names programs.

Naira Grigoryan

Violin

Born in 1995 in Vanadzor into a musical family. Studies in No 20 Secondary school in Vanadzor with English emphasis and is a student with excellence. Started to get her musical education at Tigran Chukhajyan Art College in Vanadzor at String department. She is a laureate of several national, regional and city competitions, among them 2 nd prize winner at the Emin Khachaturian National Competition, 1 st prize winner at Alexander Spendiaryan National Competition. Since 2006 participates in the New Names programs. She speaks Armenian, Russian and English languages, is interested in sports and likes swimming. In 2008 Naira was also selected by the National Audition Committee of the Ministry of Culture to represent Armenia at the Delphic Games in October 2008.

Vardan Gasparyan

Cello

Vardan Gasparyan was born in 1989 in Yerevan. In 1996 he entered the Tchaikovsky Music College and graduated it with honors. During the years of study he regularly appeared in concerts in Yerevan. In 2003 and 2004 he took part in the Emin Khachatryan National Competition and received the diploma of a laureate. In 2006 he was awarded as the best performer of the violin concertos by the decision of the Yerevan Music Schools. In 2006 he appeared with the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra and performed the violin concerto a-moll by Camille Saint-Saëns. The same year Vardan entered Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory accruing highest points and studies in the class of Assistant Professor Aram Talalyan.

In 2006 and 2007 he concerted and toured Armenia extensively and made appearances at the festivals.

Arsen Petrosyan

Duduk

Arsen was born in Charentsavan in 1994. Started education in the School No 5 in Charentsavan and at the same time studied in the Fine Art School after Armenian artist Garzoo. He is a pupil of a famous Armenian professor of duduk Gevork Dabaghyan. Participated in numerous competitions and festivals. The recent ones include the UNESCO festival and in 2007 he was awarded achievements diploma at the All Armenian Duduk competition held at the Armenian Music Union.

Voice “ashughakan”

Hovhannes was born in Yerevan in 1993. Started to sing aged only 6. In 2002 he entered the Ashugh Jivani Folk Music College. He debuted on the National Armenian TV aged 8 featuring in the music show “ Parnassus” the same year. From 2004 Hovhannes regularly appears in the concerts all over Armenia, he even sings for the soldiers of the Armenian army. In 2004 together with the “Aravot” dance group Hovhannes tours Czech Republic. In 2005 Hovhannes continues intensive touring having visited France, Spain and Belgium. In 2006 the family suffered tragedy – his father died. In 2007 Hovhannes started over his concert activity appearing in the international festivals in Italy, France and Spain. Hovhannes appeared in concerts with the renowned “Barekamoutyun” dancing group and Tovmas Poghosyan’s ashugh music concerts. Now aged 15 he can boast wide popularity among true lovers of “ashugh” music.

Vahan Davtyan

Guitar

Born in 1988 in Vanadzor. Started to play guitar aged 14 and made quick progress. In 2005 graduated from the “Mtnshah” Secondary School in Vanadzor and entered Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory to the class of Professor Hakob Jagatspanyan majoring in classical guitar. From 2006 he is a member of a guitar trio “Los Locos” and started to appear with concerts in Armenia and abroad. In 2007 made numerous appearances in Avant-Garde Folk Music Club in various guitar combos and groups also featuring his teacher Hakob Jagatspanyan. The same year made successful appearance at the Donetsk Guitar Festival and as a member of Flamenco Quartet toured Siberia visiting cities Kamensk, Uralsk, Yekaterinburg and Surgut.

As a soloist appeared at the Grand Guitar Concert held at the Aram Khachatryan Concert Hall in November 2007.

Anahit Dilbaryan – kanoon, piano

 

Born in 1990 in Spitak, Armenia. In 1997 she entered Spitak Music School and studied in the class of Yelena Grigoryan, majoring in piano. In 2000 she moved to Spendiaryan Music School to the class of Professor Sergey Kechek and continues education there. She also plays kanon having studied the instrument with her mother, Alvard Karapetyan.

Numerous times participated in the international competitions, festivals and concerts. In 1997 she won the first prize both in piano and kanon at Vanadzor Festival and Competition. In 2002 she participated in the Black See CIS countries Golden Ship Festival ( Russia, diploma).

 In 2003 she won the first prize at the VI Arno Babadjanyan Little Piano Players Republican Competition. She was also awarded the Special prize there. In 2004 as a kanoon player, she participated in the “Delphic games” II International Juniors competition-festival (3 rd prize and a bronze medal, Moldova). In 2005 she participated in the FLAME competition and was awarded the first prize there ( France). The same year she participated in the Spendiaryan Music School Festival Competition and was awarded a diploma there. At “Delphic games” III International Juniors competition-festival she was awarded a diploma as a kanon player ( Ukraine, 2005).

In 2006 at “Delphic games” IV International Juniors competition-festival she was awarded the Silver medal and took the 2 nd prize ( Kazakhstan). From 2001 she is a bursar of Spivakov Fund. Toured regional centers of Armenia, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, UK and appeared with Symphonic orchestras. . In 2007 appeared in the YerazArt Spring seed tour over 8 cities of the U.S.A. The same year entered the Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory.

In Austin, Texas	With Marco Werman at WGBH studios	At the Massachussetts State House

Nara Avetisyan	Before the Concert in Arlington	At Burger King

In Albuquerque. Future Armenian memorial site	With Armen Chakerian	Gayane Khachatryan...

Fresno, Yosemite	In San Francisco Armenian school room	San Francisco, at Khachaturian Center

Harutyun Chkolyan	Meri Khojayan	Pianist/Kanoon Player Anahit Dilbaryan

Lilit Khachatryan without a violin

Alltogether	Trio YerazArt	Trio YerazArt

Trio YerazArt	Trio YerazArt	Trio YerazArt

Nara Avetisyan - piano	Nara Avetisyan - piano	Nara Avetisyan - piano

Anahti Dilbaryan - piano	Anahti Dilbaryan - piano	Gayane Khachatryan - cello

Gor Melkumyan - trupmet	Gayane Khachatryan - cello	Anahit Dilbaryan - Kanoon

Anahit Dilbaryan - Kanoon	Harutyun Chkolyan - duduk	Harutyun Chkolyan - duduk

Serine Poghosyan - voice	Folk Trio	Serine Poghosyan - voice

Lilit Khachatryan - violin	Lilit Khachatryan - violin	Gor Melkumyan - trumpet

Folk Trio	Meri Khojayan - violin

Group photo	Group photo with Raffi Festekjian	Group photo

Group photo	Vahan Gasparyan, cello	Anahit Dilbaryan, kanon

Anahit Dilbaryan, piano	Anzhela Hovhannisyan, violin	Vahan Davtyan, guitar

Hovhannes Aleksanyan, voice	Arsen Petrosyan, duduk	Anahit Dilbaryan, kanon

Vahan Gasparyan, cello	Anahit Dilbaryan, kanon	Hovhannes Aleksanyan, voice

Vahan Davtyan, guitar	Arsen Petrosyan, duduk	Anzhela Hovhannisyan, violin

Vahan Davtyan, guitar

 

 

Photos by Zaven Khachikyan

Making Dreams Come True for Young Musicians

By Alin K. Gregorian
Mirror-Spectator Staff

LEXINGTON, Mass. — Anna and Noubar Afeyan hosted a benefit gala reception and recital at their home on October 26, for the YerazArt Foundation. The program featured 13-year old violin prodigy Diana Adamyan from Armenia. Adamyan is the 2012 winner of the Silver Nutcracker at the Nutcracker International TV Contest for Young Musicians. She had participated in the Moscow-based competition with the help of YerazArt Foundation.

Noubar Afeyan and Raffi Festekjian founded the non-profit YerazArt several years ago in order to help young musicians in Armenia. Through the years, the group has adapted its goals and activities in order to help with the most urgent needs for young musicians in Armenia. Whereas in previous years a group of young musicians would
be brought to tour the US, now the foundation helps musicians, donates instruments to music schools both in Yerevan and remote areas and offers some financial support to music teachers in Armenia in the process.

YerazArt Executive Board Chair Nicole Babikian Hajjar spoke about the mission of YerazArt at the event.
“Our mission is twofold. At the micro level, we help young and talented musicians in Armenia seize opportunities to be the best they can. This can mean anything from being able to participate in an international competition abroad, being able to attend a priceless master class with a visiting artist or simply being able to play on a better instrument,” she said. In addition to these efforts, the group also assists music schools especially in more remote areas in Armenia — such as Kapan, Aparan, Talin and Gumri — by donating instruments to them and helping pay the salaries of music teachers, Hajjar noted.
“We also strive to revive some disciplines that are in danger of extinction for the lack of available and quality instruments,” she added. One such case is the oboe.
Both Hajjar and Anna Afeyan in their comments spoke about the launching of a Sistema music program in Armenia. Sistema was originally founded in Venezuela 40 years ago, targeting the most economically and socially vulnerable children and teaching them to play musical instruments in orchestras. The goal has been not only to teach the children music but also to help them think collaboratively in an orchestra setting. “At a time when the world becomes ever more global but ever more fractured, it is all the more befitting to be reminded of the role of music as a universal language and a universal connector,” Hajjar said.

Hajjar noted that the evening had raised enough funds to cover the entire budget for the upcoming year in Armenia. After cocktails and dinner, Adamyan, accompanied on the piano by local pianist, Nune Hakobyan, played Keler Tsoler by Komitas, and arranged by Dumbayeve; Meditation by Jules Massenet, two pieces by Fritz Kreisler and La Ronde de Lutins, by Antonio Bazzini. After the thunderous applause that greeted the performance, they played Groong, by Komitas and arranged by Aslamazyan.

Raffi Festekjian, left, with Anthony Barsamian	Anna and Noubar Afeyan	From left, Nune Hakobyan, Diana Adamyan and Nicole Babikian Hajjar

The 13-year-old Adamyan was born into a musical family; both her parents are violinists with the National Chamber Orchestra of Armenia, with her father the orchestra’s concertmaster. Adamyan seemed transported to another realm during the performance. Gone was the shy young girl and in her place stood a mature musician, fully in command of a large audience. Hakobyan, praising the young violinist, said,“she creates a unique world of sounds. She will go very far. She has natural talent. We will hear big things about her. She has such technique, feeling and musicality.” Anna Afeyan summed up what many in the audience thought: “It was a pleasure to listen to her.We shared a special moment. She has a natural musicality.” Sylvie Zakarian, a YerazArt board member and a classically-trained percussionist and marimba player, praised Adamyan’s technical achievement. “She touched everyone. It was not cliché,” she said. “You could clearly see she was enjoying it.” Noubar Afeyan, adding his voice in thanking the guests for supporting YerazArt, noted that the piano played by Hakobyan had been played by many hands, both advanced and beginner, since it had originally belonged to his mother, who had taught piano in Beirut.

For more information on the organization, visit www.yerazart.org

YerazArt Invites Violin Prodigy Diana Adamyan From Armenia To Perform at Annual Benefit

The YerazArt Foundation has invited 13-year old violin prodigy Diana Adamyan from Armenia to perform at its annual benefit event to be hosted by YerazArt co-founders, Noubar and Anna Afeyan, in their Lexington (Massachusetts) residence on October 26, 2013. Adamyan is the 2012 winner of the Silver Nutcracker at the Nutcracker International TV Contest for Young Musicians. The YerazArt Foundation had supported her to participate in this prestigious competition annually held in Moscow. All proceeds from the event will benefit the YerazArt Foundation’s Instrument Donation Program and other educational initiatives in Armenia.

US/Canada Concert Tour 2010

Montreal, Canada
Saturday, October 2	Concert	8 PM, St. Gregory Armenian Cathedral, Montreal 615 Stuart St. Outremont, Quebec Sponsor St. Gregory Armenian Cathedral, Montreal Contact Levon Afeyan, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. For Tickets Tel. 514-279-3066
Toronto, Canada
Wednesday, October 6	Concert	7:30 PM, AGBU Cultural Center, Babayan Auditorium 930 Progress Ave. Scarborough, Ontario Sponsor AGBU Toronto Contact Salpi Der Ghazarian, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. For Tickets Tel. 416-431-2428
Detroit
Friday, October 8	Concert	8:00 PM, Seaholm High School 2436 West Lincoln Rd. Burmingham, MI. Sponsor ARS Detroit Contact Ani Attar, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. For Tickets Tel. 248-661-3038
Chicago
Saturday, October 9	Concert	8:00 PM, Armenian Community Center Shahnazarian Hall 1701 N. Greenwood Road, Glenview, Illinois. Sponsor Hamazkayin of Chicago Contact Harout Michaelian This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. For Tickets Tel. 847-674-6167, 847-391-5055, 773-205-3735
Boston
Sunday, October 17	Concert	4:00 PM, Longy School of Music Edward M. Pickman Concert Hall 27 Garden Street, Cambridge, MA. Sponsor Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Greater Boston Contact Nancy Kasarjian This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. For Tickets Tel. 617-354-0632

 

YerazArt Past Performances

Tuesday, July 3, 2007, 7:30pm
Komitas Chamber Music Hall
1 Isahakyan Street
0025 Yerevan
Emmanuel Tjeknavorian, violin - solo recital
Free admission

Friday May 11, 2007, 7:30pm
Kalayjian Hall
Headquarters of the Western Diocese
3325 N. Glenoaks Blvd
Burbank, CA 91504
Co-Sponsored by the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church Tickets @ 818.558.7474
$25 Adults, $15 Students
Visit: www.armenianchurchwd.com

Thursday May 10, 2007, 7:30PM
Wahlberg Recital Hall
California State University, Fresno
5241 N. Maple Ave
Fresno, CA 93740
Co- Sponsored by the Armenian Cultural Foundation, Fresno
Tickets: Avo @ 559.233.2315, Rosie @ 559.233.1800
Ara @ 559.907.7826, Hilda @ 559.908.5893
$25 Adults

Saturday May 5, 2007, 7:30PM
Saroyan Hall
825 Brotherhood Way
San Francisco, CA 94132
Co-Sponsored by KZV Armenian School and ARS Garin Chapter
Tickets: @ Maro Demirjian @ 415.753.5262
Angelique Arzoumanian @ 650.577.1006
Ani Yeni- Komshian @ 408.399.4108
Ivette Avanessian @ 510.649.9344
$30 Adults, $15 for age 15 and Under

Friday, May 4, 2007 8PM
Houston Baptist University
Mabee Theater
7502 Fondren Road
Houston, Texas 77074
Co-Sponsored by St. Kevork's Armenian Church of Houston, Texas
Tickets: Helen Marout @ 281.558.2753
Arminee Keshishian @ 281.558.8558
Sarkis Ohanian @ 713.266.1313
$30 Adults, $20 Students General Admission

Thursday, May 3, 2007 8PM
University Christian Church
2007 University Ave
Austin, Texas 78705
Co-Sponsored by the Armenian Church of Austin, Texas

Sunday, April 29, 2007, 3:30pm
South Broadway Cultural Center (SBCC)
1025 Broadway SE
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102
Co-Sponsored by the City of Albuquerque, Armenian Cultural Association of New Mexico, and Washburn Piano

Saturday, April 28, 2007, 7:30pm
College of Santa Fe- Department of Contemporary Music
O'Shaughnessy Performance Space, Benildus Hall
1600 St. Michael's Drive
Santa, Fe, New Mexico 87505
Co-Sponsored by the College of Santa Fe Department of Contemporary Music

Friday, April 27, 2007 8PM
Armenian Cultural Foundation
441 Mystic Street
Arlington, MA 02474
Co-Sponsored by St. Stephen's Armenian Elementary School (Watertown, MA)

Thursday, April 26, 2007 7PM
Armenian Cultural Foundation
441 Mystic Street
Arlington, MA 02474
Co-Sponsored by St. Stephen's Armenian Elementary School (Watertown, MA)

YerazArt Duduk Quintet

Hayk Sukiasyan - cello

Hrayr Karapetyan - violin

Hripsime Aghakaryan - piano

Mane Galoyan - vocal, piano

Mane Harutyunyan - oboe

Norayr Gapoyan - duduk

YerazArt Trio II

YerazArt Vocal Quintet

YerazArt Group 2009

YerazArt Group 2009

Davit Hakobyan - violin	Davit Hakobyan - violin	Davit Hakobyan - violin

 

Rasa-Lila Buniatyan - kamancha	Rasa-Lila Buniatyan - kamancha	Rasa-Lila Buniatyan - kamancha

 

Rasa-Lila Buniatyan - kamancha	YerazArt Quintet	YerazArt Quintet and Arman Padaryan

 

YerazArt Quintet	YerazArt Quintet and parents	YerazArt Quintet

 

Mikayel Grigoryan - cello	Mikayel Grigoryan - cello	Joy

 

Mikayel Grigoryan - cello	Mikayel Grigoryan - cello	Shoghakat Vardanyan - piano

 

Shoghakat Vardanyan - piano	Shoghakat Vardanyan - piano	Shoghakat Vardanyan - piano

 

Eduard Nersisyan - saxophone	Eduard Nersisyan - saxophone	Eduard Nersisyan - saxophone

 

Eduard Nersisyan - saxophone

Eduard Nersisyan - saxophone

 

	VARDAN GASPARYAN AWARDED 3rd PRIZE IN TEXAS (JANUARY 2013) AND SELECTED FOR MASTER’S AT COLBURN Cellist and YerazArt Fellow Vardan Gasparyan won 3rd prize at the Schmidbauer International Competition which took place in Texas on January 20. Gasparyan was supported by YerazArt to participate in this competition.  In another major career development, Gasparyan was admitted in the highly selective Master’s program at the Colburn School (Los Angeles). The only one spot for cello studies went to him.  In Gasparyan’s own words, “I just feel super proud and thought I would share it with you.” Vardan was featured at YerazArt’s annual private concert last year in Massachusetts.
	HAYK SUKIASYAN ADMITTED AT DRESDEN CONSERVATORY (MAY 2013) Cellist and YerazArt Fellow Hayk Sukiasyan was officially admitted at the Karl Maria von Weber Hochschule fur Musik in Germany to pursue his studies with Professor Ramon Jaffe. This is a major achievement for Hayk, as only 4 applicants were admitted out of a pool of 60 candidates. YerazArt had supported Sukiasyan by providing for his master-classes at this prestigious conservatory. Hayk had also performed in the YerazArt concert tour of 2009.
	GAYANE KHACHATRYAN WINS 3RD PRIZE AT KHACHATURIAN INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION (JUNE 2013) Cellist and YerazArt Fellow Gayane Khachatryan was awarded 3rd prize at the 9th Khachaturian International Competition which took place in Yerevan from June 6 to 13. Gayane is currently enrolled at Lubeck Musikhochschule in Germany and was part of the YerazArt concert tour back in 2007.
	DAVID HAKOBYAN JOINS DETMOLD SCHOOL OF MUSIC (JUNE 2013)  Violinist and YerazArt Fellow David Hakobyan was successfully supported by YerazArt to enter Detmold School of Music in Germany.
	KARINE MINASYAN ENTERS HANNOVER CONSERVATORY (JUNE 2013) YerazArt -supported soprano Karine Minasyan was admitted at Hannover Hochschule fur Musik, following in the footsteps of her sister, pianist Ruzanna Minasyan, one of the first YerazArt Fellows (2006), who is currently enrolled in the same conservatory.

 

YerazArt Fellows Avetisyan and Gasparyan to Perform at Foundation’s Annual Fundraiser

Pianist Nara Avetisyan	Cellist Vardan Gasparyan
Avetisyan and Gasparyan had both been selected to take part in the YerazArt-sponsored North American Concert Tour back in 2007 and 2008 respectively. All proceeds from the event will benefit the YerazArt Foundation’s Instrument Donation Program and other educational programs in Armenia.

On November 17, 2012 the YerazArt Foundation will host its annual fundraising event, a dinner reception and private concert, in Lexington – Massachusetts. On this occasion, the Foundation has invited two former YerazArt Fellows, pianist Nara Avetisyan, currently at the Cleveland Institute of Music, and cellist Vardan Gasparyan, now at the Colburn School in Los Angeles, to perform at this year’s event.

 

 

	SOPRANO MARIA SARDARYAN TAKES 2ND PRIZE IN GERMANY (OCTOBER 2012) 23-year-old Maria Sardaryan, a student of Anna Saradjyan at the Yerevan Komitas Conservatory, won second prize at the Giulio Perotti International  Competition in Germany on October 8. Sardaryan had received assistance from YerazArt to attend this prestigious competition, upon the recommendation of renowned conductor and Merited Artist of Armenia Zaven Vardanyan.
	PIANIST LEVON ARMEN MANASERYAN WINS TWO PRIZES CONSECUTIVELY (JULY-OCTOBER 2012) Pianist Levon-Armen Manaseryan, a YerazArt Scholarship recipient at the Yerevan Komitas Conservatory last year, won Special Prize at the 12th International Piano Competition for Young Musicians held in Munich, Germany from June 28 to July 1.  He was considered a main Prize winner in his age category.  YerazArt also supported him to participate in the competition winners’ festival and master-classes course - Munchner Klavierpodium der Jugend. More recently, Manaseryan took the bronze medal at the 7th Delphic Games held in Kazakhstan from September 24 to October 2. He was the only Armenian pianist selected to represent his country at this major competition.
	YERAZART FELLOW MANE GALOYAN WINS 1ST PRIZE AND GOLDEN MEDAL (OCTOBER 2012) Soprano and YerazArt Fellow Mane Galoyan, who had participated in the YerazArt Concert Tour back in 2009, won first prize and a golden medal at the 7th Delphic Games held in Kazakhstan from September 24 to October 2. This marks a major success and a mighty come-back for 20-year-old Mane, after several difficult months following surgery on her vocal chords.
	GUITARIST ZHORA SARGSYAN PLACES THIRD IN ITALY (JULY 2012) 20-year-old Zhora Sargsyan took third prize in his age category "C" at the 18th International “Young Guitar Players” Competition – Mottola held in Italy in July 2012.  He was consequently invited by the President of the Jury, guitar virtuoso Aniello Desiderio, to continue his education at the Koblenz Guitar Academy in Germany. YerazArt assisted Zhora to organize a solo recital at one of the leading concert halls in Yerevan , Komitas Chamber Music Hall, on October 13.

 

The YerazArt Fellows

 

Meet the young musicians who have taken part in our North American Concert Tours over the years.

 

YA Class of Autumn 2010 (photos)
YA Class of Autumn 2009 (photos)
YA Class of Autumn 2008 (photos)
YA Class of 2007 (photos)
YA Class of 2006

 

YA Class of Autumn 2010

 

Shoghakat Vardanyan – piano
Mikayel Grigoryan – cello
Rasa-Lila Buniatyan - kamancha
Davit Hakobyan – violin
Eduard Nersisyan - saxophone

 

YA Class of Autumn 2009

 

Mane Galoyan - voice, piano
Hayk Sukiasyan - cello
Norayr Gapoyan - duduk
Hripsime Aghakaryan - piano
Mane Harutyunyan - oboe
Hrayr Karapetyan - violin

 

CLASS BIOS

 

YA Class of Autumn 2008

 

Anahit Dilbaryan - piano, kanon
Vahan Davtyan - guitar
Hovhannes Aleksanyan - voice “ashughakan”
Arsen Petrosyan - duduk
Vardan Gasparyan - cello
Naira Grigoryan - violin

 

 

YA Class of Spring 2007

 

Gor Melkumyan - trumpet
Gayane Khachatryan - cello
Meri Khojayan - violin
Anahit Dilbaryan - kanoon, piano
Nara Avetisyan - piano
Serine Poghosian - Armenian folk singer
Haroutyun Chkolyan - duduk, shvi, clarinet, zourna
Lilit Khachatryan - violin

 

YA Class of 2006

 

Meri Badalyan - violin
Armine Harutyunyan - voice
Iren Pichikyan - flute
Ruzann Minassian - piano
Harutyun Chkolyan - duduk, shvi, clarinet, zourna
Sona Barseghyan - piano

 

 

YerazArt Fellows 2018

 

In 2018 YerazArt supported 60 talents, among them:

 

Cello

Alex Grigoryan

Artyom Ioanisyan

Mikayel Voskanyan

 

Piano

Hripsime Aghakaryan

 

Harp

Anahit Danukhyan

 

French Horn

Levon Adamyan

Mikayel Martirosyan

Artur Tadevosov

 

Trombone

Narek Harutyunyan

Vardan Papikyan

 

Tuba

Ashot Harutyunyan

Gagik Karapetyan

 

Trumpet

Daniel Melkonyan

 

Oboe

Hayk Hekekyan

Ashot Harutyunyan

YerazArt and ArmBone International Festival & Masterclasses

 

 

 

YERAZART SMS CONCERT VIDEO

 

 

 

 

Low Brass Music School Concert 2019.

 

 

 

 

Audio

Armenian National Music Awards nominee, March 20, 2011 SEEDS: Souvenir Gift Pack with 4 CDs and a bonus DVD, 24 Talents Release Date: January 2011 YerazArt 2011. All Rights Reserved. A YerazArt Production Producer: Arman Padaran

 

SEEDS: Classical and Armenian Folk Music, Seeds 4: Fall 2010 CD Release Date: November 2010 YerazArt 2010. All Rights Reserved. A YerazArt Production Producer: Arman Padaryan

 

SEEDS: Classical and Armenian Folk Music, Seeds 3- Live: Fall 2009 CD Release Date: October 2010 YerazArt 2010. All Rights Reserved. A YerazArt Production Producer: Arman Padaryan

 

Capriccio/Arno Babadjanyan - Anahit Dilbaryan Dele Yaman/Folk - YerazArt Folk Trio (Harutyun Chkolyan – duduk, Anahit Dilbaryan – kanoon and Serine Poghosyan – voice Trio in C, KV 548/Mozart - YerazArt Piano Trio (Gayane Khachatryan – cello, Lilit Khachatryan – violin, Nara Avetisyan - piano)” Vocalise / Arno Babadjanyan - Mane Galoyan

 

SEEDS: Armenian Classical and Folk Music Miniatures, Seeds 2: Fall 2008 CD Release Date: August 2008 YerazArt 2008. All Rights Reserved. Produced by RM Associate Producer: Arman Padaryan

 

To listen and purchase the YerazArt Young Musicians from Armenia, Spring 2007 CD recording entitled "Seeds: Armenian Classical and Folk Music Miniatures", please click here.   SEEDS: Armenian Classical and Folk Music Miniatures CD Release Date: April 24, 2007 YerazArt 2007. All Rights Reserved. Produced by RM Associate Producer: Arman Padaryan

 

 

 

 

Demand for an album of this nature grew out of three years of presenting young musical talent from Armenia through the YerazArt concert tour program across the United States. The question that kept popping up after shows, and in anticipation of others, was consistently, "where can I get a recording of these musicians?" Given the relatively young age of the program participants, a recording was never seriously considered until recently. In response to audience demands for a tangible product from the YerazArt Young Musicians from Armenia, comes "Seeds: Armenian Classical and Folk Miniatures".

 

This album is designed to convey two main ideas. First, it is a snapshot in time of eight young musicians who were selected to participate in a tour of the United States in the spring of 2007. Each of the musicians was chosen based on recommendations from a 17-person YerazArt advisory board panel in Armenia. The spring 2007 tour was secured for the United States, and the musicians went hard at work creating a program of music that would showcase their talents and versatility. The recording sessions were quick, live in feel, and deliberately raw in order to capture the authentic and spontaneous nature of their strengths and limitations.

 

The second main idea this project attempts to convey is the depth and richness of Armenian music. For many performers on this album, the selections chosen are considered encore pieces that conclude a more balanced Western/Russian/Armenian concert program. Aram Khachaturian's "Toccata" is a good example of a classic encore pieces. Yet, there are other selections that are considered less superfluous and rarely recorded such as Edward Baghdasaryan's "Nocturne" and Arno Babajanian's wildly nervous "6 Pictures for Piano". Selections from Armenian icons such as Ashugh Jivani, Komitas, and Vagarshak Kotoyan are included. Indigenous folk music performed on the duduk and vocals set to an ethnographic style are also on display. These are essentially the "chestnuts" of Armenian encore music. All of them full of color, flair, and a distinctly unique identity.

 

In many ways, "Seeds" is a curio of sorts. If, at this tender age young Armenian musicians are able to perform at this high caliber, what will they be like in 5 years, or maybe even 10 with the right direction, educational access, master classes, and seasoned concert experience?

 

RM

 

Program

 

Armenian Folk Song

Performed by Harutyun Chkolyan, Duduk

Accompanied by Andranik Muradyan, Second Duduk (Dam)

1. Hovern Enkan/A Cool Wind is Blowing

 

Aram Khachaturian (1903-1978)

Performed by Anahit Dilbaryan, Piano

2. Toccata

 

Aram Khachaturian (1903-1978)

Performed by Meri Khojayan, Violin

Accompanied by Lola Poghosyan, Piano

3. Dance #1 for Violin and Piano

 

Vagarshak Kotoyan (1921-1992)

Performed by Anahit Dilbaryan, Kanoon

Accompanied by Anahit Nersesyan, Piano

4. Sevan Fisherman’s Dance

 

Komitas (1869-1935)

Performed by Trio YerazArt

5. Al Ayloughs

 

Yuri Balyan ( b.1938)

Performed by Gor Melkumyan, Trumpet

Accompanied by Ruzanna Mehrabyan, Piano

6. Oriental Picture

 

Arno Babadjanian (1921 - 1983)

Performed by Gayane Khachatryan, Cello

Accompanied by Anahit Nersesyan, Piano

7. Aria

 

Ashugh Djivani (1846-1909)

Performed by Serine Poghosyan, Voice

Accompanied by Harutyun Chkolyan, Duduk; Anahit Dilbaryan, Piano, & Arsen Yesayan, Dhol

8. Hayrenikis Djure

 

Edward Baghdasaryan (b.1927)

Performed by Lilit Khachatryan, Violin

Accompanied by Anahit Nersesyan, Piano

9. Nocturne

 

Arno Babadjanian (1921 - 1983)

Performed by Nara Avetisyan, Piano

10. Choral and Sasoonsi Dance from Six Pictures

 

Video About YerazArt

 

Journey into the hearts of three prodigious musicians from Armenia who dare to dream of big stages, while having to overcome economic hardship in their native land. Filmed on-location in Armenia, Anush A. Hovsepyan's short film is a glimpse into the lives of ordinary teenagers such as Meri, Harutyun, and Iren, who struggle to find instruments to practice on, cannot pay for master classes, or don't have the access to international competitions in order to display their musical talents. In an effort to stem the tide of lost opportunity in Armenia, the YerazArt Foundation is committed to showcasing young local Armenian musicians on global stages, while creating opportunities for potential supporters and concert presenters to have a direct impact on the future of Armenia's cherished musical tradition. This DVD features interviews with dudukist Gevorg Dabaghyan (Yo-Yo Ma's Silk Road Project, Shoghaken Folk Ensemble), Ara Gevorgyan (Armenian world music artist), and Aram Gharabekian (Artistic Director of the National Chamber Orchestra of Armenia).

 

YerazArt Short Film, Part 1

 

YerazArt Short Film, Part 2

For questions about YerazArt and our programs, please contact us at:

 

North America Contact

YerazArt

P.O. Box 79133
Belmont, MA 02479 USA

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

Armenia Contact

Arman Padaryan

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Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall
46 Mashtots Avenue
0025 Yerevan, Armenia
Tel./Fax: + 374 11 540742
Cell.: + 374 91 43 24 80

Ways to Give

Funds

The YerazArt Foundation operates solely on donations. We welcome private, corporate, and institutional funding to sustain our ambitious cultural and educational programs. The YerazArt Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Your contribution is tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law.

 

You can make a donation by check payable to YerazArt Foundation, and mail to the following address:

 

YerazArt

P.O Box 79133

Belmont, MA 02479

 

or

 

Instruments

We welcome donations of orchestral instruments in playable and good cosmetic condition. They will be sent to musical institutions in Armenia. We do not however accept pianos, organs or accordions. For more detailed information about donating instruments, please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 

For questions about donating, please send us an email at:

 

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or

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YerazArt is proud to partner with the following organizations:

 

 

Young Artists Program
In 2019 the Young Artists Program was launched in collaboration with the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra (ANPO) where special talents supported by YerazArt will perform with the orchestra. On March 10, prodigy pianist Eva Gevorgyan, performed with the ANPO a Chopin's - Piano Concerto No 2. On April 16 Diana Adamyan performed Prokofiev - Violin Concerto No 2.
There are additional planned events during the year. For more information regarding the program and performances, please visit: https://apo.am/concerts/concert/young-artists-series-present-prokofiev-featuring-diana-adamyan

YerazArt Academy
YerazArt Academy offers students the opportunity to work on a weekly basis with highly skilled brass and wind principals of the ANPO, receiving the personalized guidance and tutoring.

YerazArt Summer and Winter Music Schools 
These seasonal schools, are held biannually, in Yerevan, in collaboration with the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra (ANPO) offering intensive studies with the orchestra musicians. The schools hold a showcase concert at the commencement of each session. https://apo.am/season-school

International Master Classes
YerazArt supports participation of Young Armenian talents to visit International Master Classes and summer schools abroad. This program has proved to be one of the most effective tools for their professional development.

International Competitions
YerazArt offers financial and administrative support to young musicians in Armenia allowing them the opportunity to participate in international competitions. International Competitions are an invaluable tool for building a resume and providing exposure to a wide range of industry professionals.

Professional Networking
Through YerazArt’s Advisory Board and Staff, young Armenian musicians have access to an extensive support network of music professionals and academia, in Armenia and abroad. This network provides students with mentoring, career counseling, and admission opportunities to the best music schools worldwide.

Instrument Donation Program (IDP)
To address the scarcity of resources and instruments, and the near extinction of some musical disciplines, YerazArt donates instruments to select musical institutions and students, both in Yerevan and in remote areas throughout the country.

Scholarships
YerazArt’s need-based scholarships provide financial aid to talented students seeking a higher musical education in Armenia. YerazArt also offers a limited number of scholarships to enable exceptional students to audition at renowned conservatories abroad.

Concerts
YerazArt offers talented young musicians the opportunity to travel and perform in the United States, allowing them to engage with a diverse audience of music enthusiasts and to connect with music professionals in the States.

What We Do

YerazArt is a Boston-based non-profit organization, with a mission to nurture, support, and promote young, talented musicians from Armenia, helping them reach their full artistic potential by providing assistance with professional development, instrument donations, scholarships and concert performance opportunities. YerazArt was founded in 2005 to address the challenges facing young musicians in Armenia. Over the years, the scarcity and poor quality of instruments available in musical institutions, and the lack of professional development resources necessary to prepare talented students for the world stage, have led to a decline in the number of students pursuing musical disciplines in Armenia.

 

 

Who We Are

 

Founders

Mr. Raffi Festekjian is Chief Executive Officer of the Finance Risk and Compliance Division of Wolters Kluwer Financial Services.

 

Mr. Festekjian is responsible for the strategic direction of numerous business lines across the globe. He is committed to harmonizing organizations’ finance, risk and compliance assets, as this effort is vital in helping financial organizations grow soundly and responsibly through genuine insight into their regulatory obligation and risk landscape. He joined Wolters Kluwer Financial Services in 2004 when the organization acquired PCi. Under Mr. Festekjian’s leadership, PCi became one of the largest providers of compliance solutions to the financial services industry. Prior to founding PCi, Mr. Festekjian was a consultant and investment banker at Kellett Management, Inc. He also worked in product management at Proctor & Gamble, and as a civil engineer in the construction industry. Mr. Festekjian has served as the chair of the Armenia Fund, and most recently is a board member of the National Competitiveness Foundation of Armenia (NCFA). Mr. Festekjian received his M.B.A., with distinction, from J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University and his B.S. in Engineering from American University of Beirut.

 

Noubar Afeyan has dedicated his career to improving the human condition by systematically creating science-based innovations that serve as the foundation for startup companies. At Flagship Pioneering, which he founded in 1999, Noubar has created an enterprise where entrepreneurially minded scientists invent seemingly unreasonable solutions to challenges facing human health and sustainability. Flagship has fostered the development of more than 100 scientific ventures. During his career as inventor, entrepreneur, and CEO, Noubar has cofounded and helped build over 40 life science and technology startups. He is a lecturer at Harvard Business School and from 2000 to 2016 was a senior lecturer at MIT’s Sloan School of Management. Noubar’s commitment to improving the human condition through science and business goes hand in hand with social investments and a global humanitarian initiative. Together with his partners, he has launched philanthropic projects including the IDeA Foundation, UWC Dilijan School, 100 LIVES, and the Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity to raise awareness of the world’s most pressing humanitarian problems. Noubar is a member of the Corporation of MIT, and a member of the board of trustees of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

Noubar was born in Beirut, did his undergraduate work at McGill University in Montreal, and completed his Ph.D. in biochemical engineering at MIT in 1987. A passionate advocate of the contributions of immigrants to economic and scientific progress, Noubar received the Golden Door Award in 2017 from the International Institute of New England, in honor of his outstanding contributions to American society as a U.S citizen of foreign birth. He was also awarded a Great Immigrant honor from the Carnegie Corporation in 2016, received a Technology Pioneer award from the World Economic Forum in 2012, and was presented with the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 2008.

 

Staff

Arman Padaryan

YerazArt Armenia Country Director

Mr. Padaryan was an internee at Dublin Institute of Technologies in 1996 and in 1999, through the Visiting Arts Program he worked at Jazz Services, and London International Festival of Theater, in the UK. His prolific body of work at the Cadence Music Centre from 1997 to 2001 resulted in subsequent invitations to work with the Komitas State Quartet in 2002, Armenian String Virtuosi in 2003, and Hover Chamber Choir of Armenia in 2004 as General Manager. Since 2005 Mr. Padaryan has organized various events and tours for Armenian artists in Europe, collaborated with Kultur Aktiv e.V., a German NGO. His work there has resulted in the implementation of several non-profit youth and culture exchange programs. In 2006 Mr. Padaryan was appointed Country Director for YerazArt Foundation, Armenia - a key role for organizing international programs, concerts, and festivals, as well as managing artists. In 2009, Mr. Padaryan was appointed as the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra’s Marketing and PR Manager, and since 2011 he serves as the General Producer of the organization.

 

Executive Board - USA

Anna Afeyan - Co-chair
Nina Festekjian - Co-chair
Nicole Babikian Hajjar - Fundraising, Chair 2005 - 2018
Vahé Ghahraman - Treasurer
Roberta Hagopian Kennedy - Fundraising, BSO
Sargis Karapetyan - Program & Artistic Advisor, Violin & Viola
Seza Seraderian - Marketing
Arlette Yegumians - Marketing
Sylvie Zakarian - Program & Artistic Advisor, Classical Percussion

 

Advisory Board - Armenia

Tigran Hekekyan - Director, Sayat Nova Music College
Martun Kostandyan - Director, Tchaikovsky Music College
Juan Pardo Gil - Trombone
Paolo Rizzuto - French Horn
Araik Rubinyan - Tuba

Kirill Soldatov - Trumpet
Eduard Topchjian - Principal Conductor & Artistic Director, Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra
Marina Vardanyan - Director, Spendiaryan Music College

 

About Our Name

YerazArt was established in 2005 out of a philanthropic desire to address the challenges facing young, talented musicians in Armenia, in an effort to help them reach for their dreams through their art. Hence our name – YerazArt - from the Armenian word “Yeraz” - dream.

YerazArt continues its support to young talents who are invited to participate in the master-classes within the 12th Yerevan International Music Festival organized by the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra. Famous musicians, such as Sergey Khachatryan, Vadym Kholodenko, Emmanuel Pahud, Steven Isserlis, Tim Park, Boris Belkin and David Abrahamyan will give master-classes within the festival that started on September 10 and will take place till October 25.

 

   

  

  

 

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YERAZART LAUNCHES SMS 3RD EDITION   YerazArt continuously supports seasonal master-classes, winter and summer schools in collaboration with the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra and its guest artists.   Every autumn the ANPO organizes master-classes with the soloists who come to participate in the Yerevan International Music Festival. In June 2016 we launched the Annual YerazArt Summer Music School (SMS), where students aged 14+ have an opportunity to collaborate with and learn from ANPO's orchestra musicians. The 2nd edition in 2017 was highly effective and confirmed the importance of intensive studies with young talents. In February 2018 the Low Brass Winter school was organized, whilst the 3rd edition of Yerazart Summer Music School is due from June 18 to 28. Selected talents will get valuable masterclasses from principals of the orchestra majoring in flute, oboe, bassoon, French horn, trombone and tuba. On June 29, at 15:00 a concert featuring the active SMS participants will take place at Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall. Admission is free.   For program and participants PRESS HERE

  

  

  

    

   

   

  

   

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YerazArt Fellow, 18 year old Diana Adamyan, was awarded 1st prize in the senior division of the 2018 Menuhin Competition in Geneva, Switzerland.

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LOW BRASS WINTER SCHOOL Supported by YerazArt in Yerevan   YerazArt is happy to announce its first collaborative project of the year with the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra, the Low Brass Winter Music School, which will incorporate master-classes (February 20 through 22, at 3pm daily) followed by a meeting-concert on February 22 at the Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall. ANPO musicians Araik Rubinian (tuba, from Germany) and Juan Pardo Gil (trombone, from Spain) will teach15 students from several Yerevan music schools, including the notorious wind and brass boarding school No.13. The meeting-concert performance to follow is based on a methodological concept aimed at creating a more child-friendly atmosphere on stage, where experienced musicians and their students sit together, talk and play in a stress-free environment, also exchanging skills and comments with the audience. Meeting-concert is open to all. Thursday, February 22, 5:00pm, Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall.

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DANIEL MELKONYAN WAS AWARDED FIRST PRIZE   Long time YerazArt Fellow Daniel Melkonyan was awarded First Prize at the Ninth International Competition for Trumpet Players in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria. Melkonyan was supported by YerazArt to participate in the competition which was held from November 6 to 10, 2017. Melkonyan was one of the young talents featured by YerazArt at their 10th anniversary celebration in October 2016 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. This latest achievement marks another milestone in Daniel's professional path, as he prepares to further his education in Germany starting next fall under the guidance of Reinhold Friedrich.

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YERAZART SUMMER MUSIC SCHOOL IN ARMENIA, June 26 - July 7, 2017

 

In June 2016 we launched the Annual YerazArt Summer Music School (SMS) in collaboration with the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra (ANPO) where students aged 14+ have an opportunity to collaborate with and learn from the best Armenian orchestra musicians.

In 2017 on June 26th, YerazArt Foundation starts the 2nd edition of Summer Music School (SMS) in Yerevan (Armenia), in collaboration with the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra (ANPO). Selected talents will get valuable masterclasses from principals of the orchestra majoring in oboe, trumpet, clarinet, French horn, bassoon and harp. 
On July 7, 15:00 there will be a concert of the participants at Aram Khachaturian House Museum.

For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/Armenian.Philharmonic.Orchestra or call: +(374 91) 43 24 80

 

     

  

     

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

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YerazArt and GuitarFest (June 29 - July 9, 2017)

YerazArt continues supporting masterclasses within Yerevan 3rd International Guitar Festival headed by YerazArt alumni Zhora Sargsyan. 
This year on June 30 and July 4 there are scheduled masterclasses at Yerevan Tchaikovsky Special Music School and AGBU Hall. Augustin Pesnon, Vladimir Kirasirov and Zhora Sargsyan will give masterclasses to selected young guitarists of Armenia.

 

  

  

  

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Armenian Mirror Spectator

 

YerazArt Celebrates a Decade of Service to Armenia with Music and Flair
ARMENIA, ARTS, MASS. | NOVEMBER 10, 2016 1:06 PM

 

By Aram Arkun

Mirror-Spectator Staff

 

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — YerazArt celebrated its tenth anniversary on October 23 with a concert titled “A Prelude to Our Future,” at the Longy School of Music’s Pickman Hall. It featured violinist Diana Adamyan, pianist Nara Avetisyan, trumpeter Daniel Melkonyan and tenor Tigran Ohanyan, all young and talented artists originally from Armenia, with Nuné Hakobyan as collaborative pianist. A cocktail reception followed at the Sheraton Commander Hotel. 

 

Adamyan performed Johann Sebastian Bach’s Partita No. 3 in E major BMV 1006, Prelude, Rodion Shchedrin’s In the Style of Albéniz, and Aram Khachaturian’s Violin Concerto in D minor, opus 46, Allegro vivace. Adamyan, 16, currently studies at the Yerevan Tchaikovsky Special Music School, and from a young age has won numerous prizes in Armenia and Russia. She has performed extensively with the National Chamber Orchestra of Armenia in France, Switzerland and Iran, and has performed in YerazArt’s 2013 annual concert. In April 2016, she was invited to join the prestigious International Music Academy of Liechtenstein on a scholarship and currently participates in the intensive music weeks and programs it offers.

Ohanyan sang Umberto Giordano’s Loris aria from “Fedora,” Giuseppe Verdi’s Alfredo aria from “La Traviata,” Giacomo Puccini’s Pinkerton aria from “Madame Butterfly,” and Armen Tigranyan’s Jivan Yar Jan from his “Anush” opera. Born in 1994 in Yerevan, Ohanyan received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Vocal Arts from Yerevan’s Komitas State Conservatory, where he studied with voice professor Rafael Hakobyants. He has performed in Armenia, Russia, Germany and the US, and made his opera debut in March 2016 as Rodolfo in Puccini’s La Bohème with the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Eduard Topchjan. Among his many prizes, in 2016, he won the Armenian President’s Prize, followed by the Special Prize at the 6^th Galina Vishnevskaya International Competition in Moscow, Russia. In 2015, he won Special Prize as Most Promising Tenor at the Jazeps Vitols International Vocal Competition in Latvia. In 2012, he won Bronze Medal and Special Prize at the 7^th Open Youth Delphic Games in Astana, Kazakhstan, and was later awarded a diploma at the 6^th International Competition of Opera Singers in Saints Petersburg, Russia. In 2007, he won first prize at the Alexander Spendiaryan 2^nd Young Musicians’ National Competition in Yerevan and first prize at the Veratsnund International Contest-Festival in Yerevan.

Avetisyan played Enrique Granados’ Goyesca No. 5, El Amor y La Muerte, Balada, and Frederic Chopin’s Ballade No. 4 in F minor, opus 52. Avetisyan is currently pursuing a double master’s degree at the Cleveland Institute of Music (CIM) in solo and collaborative piano performance after receiving her bachelor’s degree at the same institute in 2014. The Anais Afeyan scholarship through YerazArt as well as several other Armenian scholarships assisted with her education at CIM. She has won numerous prizes, including first prize at the Grant Piano Competition in Sioux Falls in 2014, and others in Greece, Lithuania and Italy. She has performed recitals in Vienna, Munich, Geneva, London, Monaco, Sochi, Boston, Los Angeles, and many other venues.

Melkonyan performed an excerpt from Alexander Arutiunian’s Trumpet Concerto in A-flat minor, opus 94, Yuri Harutyunyan’s melody from the movie “The Merry Bus,” and Jean-Baptiste Arban’s Carnival of Venice. Born in 1999 into a family of musicians, Melkonyan entered the Yerevan Tchaikovsky Special Music School at the age of seven, and still studies there today. He won First Prize at the Veratsnund International Festival-Contest in Gyumri, Armenia in 2010 and 2014, First Prize at the Games of Navasard in Yerevan in 2013, and Special Prize as Audience Favorite at Harmony, the Second International Georgian=Armenian Friendship Festival. In 2013, Melkonyan was gifted a trumpet by YerazArt Foundation, and with the support of this organization he participated in the Nutcracker International Television Contest for Young Musicians in Moscow. He won third prize and was named a laureate. YerazArt also supported his participation in the concert of the Denis Matsuev Fund in Voronezh in 2015 called New Names of the CIS Countries.

Accompanist Hakobyan at present teaches at her private studio in Watertown and at the Concord-Carlisle Music School, and is the pianist for the NOR trio (with violinist Sargis Karapetyan and saxophonist Andrei Sobchenko). She completed her music education at the Sayat Nova Music School and the Tchaikovsky Music School in her native Armenia, and holds a master’s degree in Piano Performance and an Artist Diploma in Collaborative Piano from the Komitas State Conservatory. She has worked as an accompanist at the Boston Conservatory and Boston University SFA.

YerazArt Executive Board Chair Nicole Babikian Hajjar welcomed the audience members and served as the master of ceremonies. She provided an overview of the YerazArt programs. Hajjar thanked the YerazArt cofounders and her fellow board members. Among those who had helped organize the evening’s program were Roset Atinizian, Margarit Belorian, Piruz Bogossian, Marlene Fereshetian and Ani Stepanian.

The YerazArt Executive Board includes Anna Afeyan, Nina Festekjian, Vahe Ghahraman, Sargis Karapetyan, Seza Seraderian, Arlette Yegumians and Sylvie Zakarian.

The performances were enthusiastically received by the audience, which afterwards had the interesting opportunity to meet the performers and socialize at the reception. Later, Hajjar declared the following about the occasion: “We were pleased to see many of our community members and supporters share this milestone celebration with us. We heard multiple compliments about the artists’ performance and overall quality of the event, but particularly gratifying were the praises we received for YerazArt’s important work and mission.”

YerazArt was founded in 2006 in Boston by Noubar Afeyan and Raffi Festekjian as a charitable foundation with a mission “to nurture, support and promote young and talented artists from Armenia.” It began with annual concert tours in the US and Canada of young artists from Armenia. In 2011, an Instrument Donation Program was founded, while in 2016 YerazArt’s Yerevan Summer Music School (SMS) was initiated. It is a collaboration with the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) of Armenia and the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra (ANPO), and offers young Armenian musicians the opportunity to learn from experienced orchestral talents.

Over the course of ten years, YerazArt supported close to 150 students, and another 100 through partnerships with the ANPO, AGBU, Atken Foundation and Sistema Armenia. Thirty young musicians from Armenia have performed on five YerazArt North American concert tours during this decade. Visiting Armenian artists have been able to learn from respected teachers at the New England Conservatory, Longy School of Music, and other major institutions. Its scholarships allow musicians from Armenia to attend competitions, master classes and other educational programs abroad.

YerazArt has donated more than 100 instruments since 2011 to music schools in Yerevan and remote districts of the Republic of Armenia. At least 10 teachers annually receive a stipend to teach and give master classes in Armenia. Today the Instrument Donation Program focuses on woodwind and brass instruments which are scarce in Armenia.

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YERAZART LAUNCHED A NEW EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM IN ARMENIA

On June 27th, YerazArt Foundation launched its Summer Music School (SMS) in Yerevan (Armenia), in collaboration with the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra (ANPO) and Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU).

The School’s objective is to give students of Armenian descent, aged 14+, the opportunity to learn from the best Armenian orchestra musicians as well as a platform where they can be spotted for future possible engagement with the ANPO.

YerazArt SMS offers lessons in the following orchestra professions: oboe, bassoon, French horn, flute, trumpet, trombone and clarinet. Classes will be held at the Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall rehearsal rooms, at AGBU's new concert hall and Sayat-Nova Music School Auditorium. The School offers two sessions:
- June 27 through July 6 - for locals only
- July 13 through 21 - for participants from abroad

For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/Armenian.Philharmonic.Orchestra or call: +(374 91) 43 24 80

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

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Maria Sardaryan (27, soprano) Wins First Prize at Grandi Voci Competition 2016 held in Salzburg, Austria from 22th to 27th of August.  A student at the Osimo Lyric Academy, Sardaryan was subsequently selected to participate in the ISING! International Young Artists Festivalheld in Suzhou - China over the months of July and August 2016.

 

Ani Bostanchyan (14, piano) Places Fourth Overall at “Merci, Maestro!” International Competition for Young Pianists held in Brussels (Belgium) in April 2016. A student at Spendiaryan Music School, Bostanchyan made it to the final round of this challenging competition.

 

Daniel Melkonyan (16, trumpet) Among Finalists at Yamaha International Competition held in United Arab Emirates (Dubai) in February 2016  A student at Tchaikovsky Special Music School, Melkonyan was among the top five finalists at this competition. He is scheduled to appear at the 10 Years of YerazArt celebratory concert, A Prelude to Our Future, to be held in Boston, Massachusetts on October 23, 2016.

 

Astghik Ghukasyan (17, piano) Wins Third Prize at "Clavi Cologne” International Piano Competition held from 11 to 19.03.2016 in Aachen, Germany. A student at Tchaikovsky Special Music School, Ghukasyan was later invited to participate in the master-classes session with a famous Georgian pianist Alexander Toradze at the Dilijan House of Composers after Edvard Mirzoyan.

 

YerazArt Fellow Vardan Gasparyan (27, cello) Receives the American Protege International Competition of Romantic Music Diploma of Recognition for  extraordinary dedication and achievement in the field of teaching music and presenting students who performed at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall on March 12, 2016.

 

YerazArt Fellow Nara Avetisyan (24, piano) Wins First Prize at Cleveland Institute of Music Spring Concerto Competition 2016 held in Ohio (USA). Nara was subsequently selected to perform at Severance Hall with the CIM orchestra. She was also the recipient of the Sergei Babayan Prize in Piano this year, a much-coveted prize previously won by two pianists only, one of them being Daniil Trifonov. Avetisyan got accepted at the prestigious Pianofest in Hamptons, New York on a full scholarship. This summer festival offers exceptionally concentrated study to a small group of pianists selected by audition.  Avetisyan is scheduled to appear at the 10 Years of YerazArt celebratory concert, A Prelude to Our Future, to be held in Boston, Massachusetts on October 23, 2016.

Tigran Ohanyan (21, tenor) Awarded Special Prize at VI Galina Vishnevskaya International Opera Singers Competition held in Moscow (Russia) in June 2016

Ohanyan also performed at the Festive Concert dedicated to the Apostolic visit of His Highness Pope Francis to Yerevan on June 25.

Ohanyan is scheduled to appear at the 10 Years of YerazArt celebratory concert, A Prelude to Our Future, to be held in Boston, Massachusetts on October 23, 2016.