YerazArt fellow Mane Harutyunyan awarded 5,000 euro grant to join Frankfurt Conservatory

In December 2009, oboist Mane Harutyunyan, who took part in the YerazArt North American concert tour of 2009, has been awarded a 5,000 euro grant from the Prime Minister of Armenia, Mr. Tigran Sarkissyan, to help cover the tuition costs of her enrollment at the Frankfurt Conservatory (Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Frankfurt am Main) – Germany. Thanks to months- long assistance and guidance from YerazArt, Mane did not stop seeking out opportunities and is now slated to join the Frankfurt Conservatory in April 2010, where she will hone her skills under the direction of Professor Fabian Menzel .

YerazArt trio shares spotlight on Komitas 140 CD

Recently released by the Ministry of Culture of Armenia to mark the 140 th anniversary of the legendary Armenian composer Komitas, the Komitas 140 CD features a recording of Al Ayloughs as performed by the YerazArt Trio back in 2007. The Trio was selected, along with 10 other famous groups, such as the National Chamber Choir of Armenia and the Komitas Quartet, to appear on this historic CD designed as a tribute to the famous composer. The CD, which is not intended for sale, was offered to guests of the ArtExpo 2010 held on February 12 and 13 in Yerevan.

YerazArt – supported pianist wins Grand Prix at Yekaterinburg Piano Training Competition (Russia)

In February 2010, 19-year old pianist Aleksandr Iradian received the Grand Prix of the 2 nd Yekaterinburg Piano Training Competition in Russia. Iradian was the beneficiary of financial support from YerazArt in cooperation with the Komitas Conservatory and the Ministry of Culture of Armenia.

YerazArt Cellist Admitted to the Colburn School - Los Angeles

Boston, April 19, 2009 - YerazArt, a non-profit organization dedicated to nurture, support and promote talented young musicians from Armenia, announced today that one of their fellows, Vardan Gasparyan, was accepted at the Colburn School Conservatory of Music in Los Angeles. Vardan, a 20- year- old cellist from Yerevan, Armenia was one of the few musicians that were selected and sponsored by YerazArt to participate in their 2008 North American Concert Tour. While in Los Angeles as part of this tour, Vardan was approached by the Colburn School and was strongly encouraged to apply for a full scholarship at this conservatory which boasts a renowned faculty.

With further financial and logistical support from YerazArt, Vardan was able to make yet another trip from Yerevan to Los Angeles to give a live audition and was successfully admitted to the Bachelor of Music (BM) degree program on a full scholarship. Vardan will join the program this fall.

“We are all very proud of Vardan for his achievement, and are confident he will do very well at Colburn and in his career as a cellist. YerazArt is happy to have been part of his growth as a musician and hopes to replicate this success with other young musicians from Armenia,” said Noubar Afeyan, co-founder of YerazArt.

YerazArt is currently holding auditions in Armenia in preparation for their next North American concert tour which will be taking place in fall of 2009.

About the Colburn School

The Colburn School encompasses the Colburn School of Performing Arts (CSPA) and the Conservatory of Music (CCM). The Conservatory of Music is a highly-selective college offering classical instrumental music training at the baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate levels. This community school attracts a wealth of talents among the finest young musicians in the world, from the United States to Asia, Europe and Australia.

About YerazArt

YerazArt is a Boston-based, non- profit organization co-founded in 2004 by Noubar Afeyan and Raffi Festekjian. The mission of YerazArt is to nurture, support and promote young musical talents from Armenia by providing assistance in their professional development, facilitating their participation in international competitions, and offering them exposure to western audiences through an annual concert tour.