Shoghakat Vardanyan, Piano

Born in 1993 in Yerevan to artistic parents (her father a sculptor and painter, her mother a picture miniaturist), Shoghakat entered the Yerevan Tchaikovsky Special Music School in 1999 and started her studies with Professor Alexander Gurgenov who used to teach Nareh Arghamanyan. She continued her piano studies with Zara Vardanyan in 2006, and in 2007 she won 1st prize at the Spendiaryan National Competition Festival. In 2008, she was awarded 3rd prize at the 5th Saradjian National Competition for Young Pianists. In 2009, she was awarded 2nd prize at the 8th Arno Babadjanyan National Piano Competition. That same year, she was awarded the Special prize at the Veratsnund International Competition Festival for the best performance of Komitas music. As a pianist, she combines bright musicality with a delicate romantic spirituality. In May 2010, she was selected to represent Armenia at the International Delphic Games.
Mikayel Grigoryan, Cello

Born in 1997 in Yerevan to cellist parents, Mikayel he entered the Tigran Chukhadjyan Music College in 2002 and started his cello studies with Tiruhi Sargsyan. In January 2007, he entered the Spendiaryan Special Music School while continuing his studies with Tiruhi Sargsyan. In 2008, he joined the Haykanush Danielyan Music School and studied with Gayane Rafaelyan. At the same time, he was taking master-classes and consultations from a range of internationally acclaimed musicians, such as Narek Hakhnazaryan, Anja Lechner, Vaghram Saradjian, Milan Jankovic and Aram Talalyan. In 2005, he received the 1st diploma at the Spendiaryan National Competition Festival. In 2007, he received a laureate diploma at the same competition. He participated in talent- supporting programs and festivals, such as New Names and the Geronti Talalyan National Cello Festival. In 2010, he was awarded 1st prize at the Aslamazyan/Gabrielyan National Competition and a week later he won 1st prize and a golden medal at the Veratsnund International Competition Festival in Gyumri.
Rasa-Lila Buniatyan, Kamancha

Rasa-Lila was born in 1993 in Mayapur, West Bengal, India. Her father is a visual artist, her mother a singer, both originally from the Vayots Dzor region of Armenia. The family lived in India for ten years (until 1998), before moving to the USA where they resided until 2003. Rasa-Lila started playing the kamancha at the age of 13 and her rapid and outstanding progress soon earned her enrollment in the Ashugh Djivani Folk Music School. Her teacher is Ashugh Hover, and she studies under the general guidance of Merited Artist of Armenia Professor Tovmas Poghosyan while also taking master-classes from one of the best Armenian kamancha players, Hakob Khalatyan. Considered one of the most promising kamancha players of her generation, she was officially recommended by the Ashugh Djivani Folk Music School board to participate in the YerazArt 2010 concert tour program. Rasa-Lila is also a talented water-colorist.
Davit Hakobyan, Violin

Born in 1996 in Stepanakert to a pianist father and a violinist mother, Davit entered the Sayat-Nova Music School in Stepanakert in 2003, and took classes in piano and voice. In 2005, he switched to violin. Soon after, he participated in concerts and competitions and his teachers made special mention of his bright intellect, diligence and love for music. Davit has absolute pitch. In 2006, he participated in the 6th Arno Babadjanyan National Competition for young pianists and received a diploma of approval. In 2007, he was awarded 1st prize at the Artsakh Competition of Instrumental Classical Music in violin. That same year, he was laureate of the Spendiaryan National Competition Festival in Yerevan. In 2008, he was again awarded the 1st prize at the Artsakh Competition of Instrumental Classical Music in violin. He performed several times as a soloist with the Artsakh Chamber Orchestra. In 2009, Davit reached the finals of the Andrea Postacchini International Violin Competition in Italy and was awarded the Special prize of the jury. In April 2010, he won 1st prize at the Gabrielyan/Aslamazyan National Competition. In May 2010, he received a laureate diploma at the Veratsnund International Competition Festival in Gyumri.
Eduard Nersisyan, Saxophone

Born in 1991 in Yerevan, Eduard entered the Spendiaryan Special Music School in 2001, and the same year he was laureate of the British-Armenian Saxophone Competition Festival. In 2002, he was a laureate of the “Golden Ship” International Festival in Sochi, Russia. He has been a bursar of the New Names and Mission Armenia programs since 2002. In 2003, he was a laureate of the “Selmer-Paris” International Competition held in Kiev. Since 2004, he has been a bursar of the Vladimir Spivakov International Benevolent Foundation. In 2004, he was awarded a diploma at the 3rd International Delphic Games in Chisinau, Moldova. In 2005, he was awarded 1st prize and a Yamaha saxophone at the 1st Yamaha Saxophone Competition in Yerevan. That same year, he won 1st prize at the Spendiaryan National Competition Festival. In 2006, he entered the Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory and studied with Professor Aleksandr Manukyan. He toured Belgium, Luxemburg and France, performing at the European Parliament Hall in Strasbourg and the Vladimir Spivakov 19th International Festival in Colmar. In 2008, he participated in the concert program of the Days of Armenia in Italy and in 2009, in the Benevolent Concerts program in the Armenia regions held under the aegis of First Armenian Lady Mrs. Rita Sargsyan. In 2010, he was awarded the President of Armenia Youth Prize for high performance art.
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.
YerazArt Fellow Diana Adamyan-16, Violin

Successfully Auditions with World-Famous Teacher Ana Chumachenko in April 2016 in Munich (Germany). A student at Tchaikovsky Special Music School, Diana subsequently received a scholarship from the International Academy of Music in Liechtenstein and participates regularly in the intensive music weeks and activities offered by the International Music Academy.” From June, Adamyan participates in the international master-classes sessions with renowned violinist Leonidas Kavakos, one of the leaders of the DakApp Program, becoming the ambassador of Armenia in the program at least till July 2017. This was a result of 5th International Violin Masterclass & Chamber Music Workshop at the Musical Horizons Conservatory in Athens from May 6 to 8, where she was announced the winner. Adamyan 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
YerazArt Fellow, 24-year-old violinist Hrayr Karapetyan

Triomphede l’Art held in Brussels (Belgium) held from August 24 to 30, 2015. He is a student at the Leuven Conservatory of Music (LUCA) in Belgium. Hrayr was a participant in the YerazArt North American Concert Tour in 2009.
Harutyun Melikyan - 10 years old - awarded 2nd prize in the Infantile Category at the Maria Herrero Piano Competition held in Granada (Spain) from July 20 to 24, 2015.

Harutyun is a student at Jrbashyan Music School in Yerevan.
YerazArt Fellow, 22-year-old soprano Mane Galoyan, awarded Bronze in the Voice Category at the 15th Annual International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow on July 1, 2015.

Mane Galoyan received her bachelor’s degree at the Yerevan State Komitas Conservatory in the class of Prof. Susanna Martirosyan (2014). In 2009 she won at the Renaissance International Contest-Festival in Gyumri (Armenia). In 2013 she won a gold medal at the 7th Youth Delphic Games in Kazakhstan, was awarded the Presidential Prize of Armenia, and came in second at the 6th International Competition of Opera Singers “Saint Petersburg”. In 2014 the singer was selected to join the Young Artists Vocal Academy at the Houston Grand Opera. That same year she won a prize at the 33rd International Hans Gabor Belvedere Singing Competition in Dusseldorf. She also won the 7th Bibigul Tulegenova International Vocal Competition in Astana (Kazakhstan) and received fourth prize at the 6th China International Voice Competition in Ningbo. In 2015 she won the 27th Concert of Arias: Eleanor McCollum Competition for Young Opera Singers at the Houston Grand Opera.
YerazArt Fellow, 15-year-old violin prodigy Diana Adamyan, to perform at a concert dedicated to the Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide Centennial in London on July 21, 2015

YerazArt Fellow, 15-year-old violin prodigy Diana Adamyan, was invited to perform with Maestro Pinchas Zukerman and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in a concert dedicated to the Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide Centennial in London on July 21, 2015. In addition, for the second year in a row, Diana has been invited to the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, Canada where she will attend their Young Artists Program in June. Last year, Diana participated on a full scholarship at the 16th Annual National Arts Centre Summer Music Institute, Young Artists Program, where she worked with Maestro Pinchas Zukerman, Music Director of the National Arts Centre Orchestra, along with 70 other gifted students from Canada and abroad who were all chosen through a highly competitive selection process.
Daniel Melkonyan Wins Bronze Nutcracker in Moscow (December 2014)

15-year-old trumpet player Daniel Melkonyan was awarded the Bronze Nutcracker, claiming Third Place at the 15th Annual International Nutcracker TV Contest for Young Musicians held in December 2014, in Moscow. This year 49 young musicians had applied to participate in the wind instruments category. Out of 19 trumpeters, only two were chosen to participate – from Russia and Armenia. This is the first time in the competition’s history that an Armenian wind instrumentalist is awarded a prize. Melkonyan has recently been invited to participate at the New Names of CIS Countries Concert to be held in March 2015 in Voronezh - the city named as the cultural capital of Russia in 2015.
Through our Instrument Donation Program, YerazArt provided new instruments, including a trumpet, to Melkonyan’s school - the Tchaikovsky Special Music School Yerevan in 2013. In addition YerazArt facilitated Daniel's participation in the Nutcracker competition and the upcoming New names of CIS Countries Concert through our Professional Development Program.
Violin Prodigy Diana Adamyan Invited to attend Pinchas Zukerman Young Artists Program in Canada (June 2014)

YerazArt Fellow and 14-year-old violin prodigy Diana Adamyan has been invited to participate on a full scholarship at the 16th Annual National Arts Centre Summer Music Institute, Young Artists Program to be held in Ottawa, Canada, in June.
Diana will be working with Maestro Pinchas Zukerman, Music Director of the National Arts Centre Orchestra, along with 70 other gifted students from Canada and abroad who were all chosen through a highly competitive selection process.Adamyan is the 2012 winner of the Silver Nutcracker Award, at the prestigious Nutcracker International TV contest for Young Musicians, annually held in Moscow. In 2013, she was invited to perform to a mesmerized crowd at the YerazArt annual benefit held in Massachusetts (USA).
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.

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