YERAZART EXPANDS INSTRUMENT DONATION PROGRAM IN ARMENIA (2013)
For the third year in a row, YerazArt moved ahead with its Instrument Donation Program, in a constant effort to alleviate the financial burden of select music schools and to revive some disciplines that are in danger of extinction for lack of new or sufficient instruments.
The following schools were selected to benefit from this year’s Instrument Donation Program:
In Februrary, Aparan Music School received two new pianos.
In the same month, Sayat Nova Music School received one oboe, and YerazArt also provided for a full year of paid instruction by one of the few remaining oboe teachers in Armenia.
In March, Kapan School was gifted 18 much-needed music stands.
Gyumri School received two trumpets in June.
In the same month, Tchaikovsky Special School also received one trumpet.
Finally, in September, Yerevan State Conservatory received one oboe.
YerazArt is currently considering more instrument donation opportunities before the end of the year, including a donation of pianos to the Talin Music School.

Silva Antonyan (Aparan Music School Director) and one of new pianos	Davit Melkonyan with his new trumpet in Tchaikovsky Special Music School
	Tigran Hekekyan (Sayat-Nova Music School Director) and Harutyun Shakhkyan (oboe professor) at oboe donation ceremony
Hayk Sukiasyan and his new cello bow	Ruzanna Tovmasyan and Iren Pichikyan at Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory with new piccolos.
Gyumri No4 Music School Director Khoren Vardanyan and one of two new trumpets

 

YerazArt supports the launch of Sistema Armenia in Yerevan (July 2013)
YerazArt was involved in the establishment of the Yerevan-based Sistema Armenia under the initiative of pianist, Founder and Executive Director Anna Mikaelian Meschian. Inspired by the original Venezuelan model widely known as El Sistema, Sistema Armenia is a movement aimed at providing children with valuable skills, strengthening communities and promoting cultural engagement through collaborative, ensemble-based music education.
Over the summer, YerazArt partnered with UNICEF to fund the trip of four young musicians representing Sistema Armenia to participate in the Sistema Europe festival in Vienna from August 2 to 7. In Salzburg, the Armenian quartet also got to meet and play with El Sistema children from Venezuela.

YerazArt later joined AGBU, FAR, UNICEF and the Ayb School to support the High Note Music Festival 2013 that took place at the Ayb School in Yerevan from August 19 to 30. Some 100 young musicians and 30 teachers created music together under the direction of Anna Mikaelian Meschian, David Malek (USA) and Saana Valvanne (Finland). The festival culminated in two successful concerts in Yerevan and Talin.
In Anna’s own words: “I won't be able to explain all of the emotions, achievements, energy, hard work and joy everyone got to experience during the last 5 days. I just so wish you were here to see… what you [YerazArt] have made possible for 100+ kids and 30+ adults, not to mention all our visitors and guests”.
YerazArt is currently exploring more ways to collaborate with Sistema Armenia within the scope of its instrument donation program and other educational initiatives.

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.

Composer Alexander Iradyan Awarded 2nd Prize (OCTOBER 2012)
22-year-old pianist, composer and conductor Alexander Iradyan was awarded second prize at the Young Composers' Republican Competition of Chamber Instrumental Music held under the aegis of the Armenian Musical Assembly. This represents a big success at such a young age.
Iradyan will be traveling to the United States where he plans to pursue his musical education at Florida International University (FIU).

YerazArt Pushes Forward with Instrument Donation Program – Kapan Art College, Spendiaryan Music School and Tchaikovsky Music School Among Recipients (June 2012)

For the second year in a row, YerazArt has successfully implemented a major instrument donation program dedicated this year to the Kapan Art College. After consultations with Ms. Liana Hakobyan, Director of the College, YerazArt  donated a set of new instruments ranging from trumpets and flutes to a cello, violin, clarinet, synthesizer and guitar, to meet  the needs of this well-established but remote school located in the southern province of Syunik.
“We are extremely grateful to the YerazArt Foundation for donating instruments to our college. This will definitely help revive the long-time tradition of quality music education in our region,” said Hakobyan.

Also this year, YerazArt donated a much-needed oboe to the Spendiaryan Music School in Yerevan, in an effort to gradually address the scarcity of that instrument in Armenia.  As a gift marking the 80th anniversary of the school, the new oboe was specially brought from France by renowned pianist and conductor Vahan Mardirossian, Principal Conductor and Artistic Director of the National Chamber Orchestra of Armenia and Orchestre de Caen in France.  

YerazArt later donated another oboe to the Tchaikovsky Music School as well.

YerazArt Fellow Hrayr Karapetyan Wins Special Jury Award at Aram Khachatryan International Competition (June 2012)

Violinist Hrayr Karapetyan  won the special jury award for best performance of the compulsory program at the 8th Aram Khatchatryan International Competition held in Yerevan in June.  Mr. Karapetyan was part of the YerazArt Concert Tour of 2009 and currently serves at the National Ensemble of Soloists under the baton of Maestro Zaven Vardanyan.  

YerazArt Fellow Ruzanna Minasyan Wins Second Prize at the Alfred Schnittke Akademie International Piano Competition  (March 2012)

Pianist Ruzanna Minasyan won second prize at the Alfred Schnittke Akademie International Piano Competition that was held from March 22 to 25 in Hamburg, Germany. The young pianist was part of the YerazArt Concert Tour of 2006 and is currently honing her skills under the guidance of Professor Bernd Goetzke at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hannover, one of Germany’s most renowned institutions for professional training and academic study.

YERAZART ARMENIA DIRECTOR HONORED WITH GOLD MEDAL

Yerevan, September 2011 – The Ministry of Culture of Armenia awarded Arman Padaryan,
YerazArt Armenia Country Director, with a Gold Medal recognizing his many achievements in the field of arts and culture development in Armenia. The ceremony took place at the Komitas Chamber Music Hall on September 26. Padaryan, who is also general manager of Hover Chamber Choir and general producer of the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra, dedicated his prize to YerazArt.

CHKOLYAN RECIPIENT OF GOLDEN DUDUK AWARD

On December 20, 2010, YerazArt fellow Harutyun Chkolyan (duduk, class of 2007and 2008) received the Golden Duduk Award from the Los Angeles- based Hakop Khachatrian's Akhtamar Records, in recognition of his outstanding talent. The golden duduk is covered with 160 diamonds and comes along with a golden clef. Chkolyan placed second earlier on at the National Duduk Competition which took place in Yerevan from May 4 to August 10, 2010.

NARA AVETISYAN ADMITTED AT CLEVELAND INSTITUTE OF MUSIC

YerazArt fellow Nara Avetisyan (piano, class of 2007) was accepted at the prestigious Cleveland Institute of Music to hone her skills and further her musical education under the expert guidance of renowned Professor Sergei Babayan. She is slated to start in fall of 2011.

MANE GALOYAN SHINES IN RUSSIA

YerazArt fellow Mane Galoyan (voice, class of 2009) was awarded Grand Prix at the X International Competition of Young Vocalists of Academic Genre in Yekaterinburg (Russia), which was held February 4 to10, 2011.
The jury was headed by Urals State Conservatory professor and People’s Artist of the USSR Vera Bayeva.

ALEKSANDR IRADYAN ADMITTED AT FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY

Pianist Aleksandr Iradyan, age 20, was accepted at the Florida International Universtiy - Graduate Program, where he was also granted the Carlos Piantini Teaching Assistantship in Conducting. YerazArt was instrumental in this successful endeavor, offering the young pianist valuable administrative and financial support throughout the year.

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.