Honouring the Legacy of Tony Halepli
This year, as we grieve the loss of Tony Halepli, a pivotal member of our board and a champion of progress in the Vayots Dzor region, we take heart in celebrating the extraordinary young musicians supported by the Hall-Halepli Family Young Talents Fund. Created by Tony and his wife Jocelyne Hall in 2023, this fund has already changed lives, offering a transformative platform for the region’s most promising talent.
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Meet the Rising Stars of Vayots Dzor
Here are the inspiring stories of this year’s recipients:
🌟 Shamame Sargsyan (Malishka, 16)
Shamame has a deep passion for music. She loves singing jazz and pop and has been engaged in music since childhood. Now, Shamame is dedicating herself to honing her vocal skills and refining her artistry, a journey that would not be possible without this vital support.
🌟 Tigran Stepanyan (Aghnjadzor, 15)
Tigran’s journey exemplifies the fund’s mission. Thanks to additional preparatory lessons in voice, music theory, and ear training, he earned a place as a full-time student at the Babajanian Music College in Yerevan, Armenia’s main pre-Conservatory institution. Now studying under the accomplished Ofelya Hambardzumyan, Tigran is on a full scholarship from the College and poised for a bright future. The Fund will support lodging in Yerevan, extra lessons, and participation in competitions in the 2024-25 school year.
🌟 Liparit Babayan (Aghnjadzor, 14)
Liparit is a passionate 9th-grader who travels weekly to Yeghegnadzor for solfeggio and vocal lessons with Maro Simonyan, our Maestra in the region for the past 15 years. Libarit’s talent and dedication make him a standout musician, embodying the fund's vision for nurturing young talent.
🌟 Nané Hakobyan (Areni, 14)
Nané studies under Maro Simonyan, focusing on Komitas’ compositions and classical romances. Her parents describe her as kind, intelligent, and determined, with a deep love for music. She eagerly attends her lessons twice a week, working diligently toward her dream of excelling in the arts.
🌟 Suren Mnatsakanyan (Malishka, 16)
Suren, a student at M.V. Lomonosov Secondary School, has a background in piano and choir performance thanks to our Foundation. For the past year and a half, he has been advancing his vocal skills under Maro Simonyan’s guidance and is showing excellent progress.
🌟 Mariam Manukyan (Karaglukh, 15)
Mariam is a talented young artist who excels in music and visual arts. Her parents have expressed heartfelt gratitude for the Foundation’s support, which has enriched Mariam’s knowledge of Armenian and global music. Weekly rehearsals with Maro Simonyan have nurtured her love for classical music, bringing her closer to her aspirations.
🌟 Slavik Kocharyan (Malishka, 16)
Slavik is a multi-talented musician who has completed courses in duduk and flute and has sung in our choir. For the past year and a half, he has studied voice with Maro Simonyan. Slavik dreams of attending the Komitas State Conservatory in Yerevan and is ready to work tirelessly to achieve his goal.
🌟 Nika Martirosyan (Agarakadzor, 8)
At just eight years old, Nika shows immense promise. Her mother, Ani Martirosyan, shares:
"We are very pleased with Ms. Simonyan’s work. She not only teaches us how to sing correctly but instills patriotism and a deep appreciation for Armenian music. She does all of this selflessly. We are grateful to your foundation for supporting us."
Nika loves singing, reading, and drawing. Her passion for learning and the guidance she receives from Maro Simonyan ensure she has a strong foundation for her musical journey.
🌟 Eva Hovhannisyan (Yeghegnadzor, 13)
Eva is passionate about playing the piano and singing in the choir. Her mother shares:
"My daughter loves to attend her music lessons. Though she has not yet made a final decision, she may decide to continue in the direction of music. As a parent, I am very grateful to Maro Simonyan for her great efforts and dedication."
Eva’s enthusiasm for learning is inspiring, and she is well on her way to exploring her full musical potential.
Building a Brighter Future for Young Musicians
These young talents are living proof of the power of opportunity and mentorship. The Hall-Halepli Family Young Talents Fund, supported by the Halepli family of Laval and dedicated educators like Maro Simonyan, continues to honor Tony Halepli’s legacy by nurturing the next generation of Armenian artists.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who continues to support this transformative mission, empowering the youth of Vayots Dzor through the universal language of music. Together, we are building a brighter future—one filled with harmony, opportunity, and inspiration. Now is the time to honor Tony Halepli’s legacy by creating opportunities for talented young musicians like Nika, Slavik, Mariam, Suren, Nané, Liparit, Tigran, Eva, and Shamame. These students are not only embracing Armenian musical traditions but are also exploring a wide spectrum of musical styles, gaining skills that inspire creativity, discipline, and resilience.
Join Us in Supporting the Next Generation
Supporting young musicians doesn’t just change individual lives—it uplifts entire communities. It creates a ripple effect of empowerment, providing role models for younger generations, fostering cultural pride, and building bridges to the wider world.
Donate Now and Start Your Scholarship Fund!
A Simple Way to Make a Big Difference
What does such support look like? The math is straightforward:
- $500 CAD per year provides local music training for one student in the regions, enabling them to discover and nurture their potential.
- $2,500 CAD per year supports a promising talent’s advanced studies at the Komitas State Conservatory, opening doors to professional growth.
- $5,000 CAD and up enables world-class talent to study abroad, granting them access to international stages and opportunities to shine globally.
Your contribution can be the spark that transforms a dream into reality, empowering young musicians to find their voice and carry their communities forward. Join us in shaping a future where every note played inspires hope and every talent nurtured strengthens our shared cultural legacy.
Donate Now and Start Your Scholarship Fund!
