The Atken Armenian Foundation (AAF) is proud to announce the launch of the Delia Bugada Scholarship, with its first recipient being the exceptionally talented 18-year-old pianist Aida Avanesyan. This scholarship is a shining example of how acts of generosity can empower deserving talent while inspiring profound lessons in empathy, gratitude, and connection.
The Story Behind the Scholarship
The scholarship’s roots lie in a remarkable story of inspiration and giving. Delia Bugada, an 18-year-old Canadian of Italian-Romanian descent, is from a family that deeply values the arts and education. Her father, Tullio Bugada, a student of the late Dr. Atken Armenian and a close family friend, often reminisces about Atken's involved teaching style.
Several years ago, Delia chose to forgo birthday presents, instead asking friends and family to donate to the Atken Armenian Foundation. That initiative raised $1,000, and now, through the establishment of this scholarship, Delia and her family are taking their commitments to new heights with the AAF.
Delia Bugada
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Aida Avanesyan: A Talent Worth Supporting
Aida Avanesyan, this year’s scholarship recipient, exemplifies the transformative power of such generosity. Aida has been a consistent presence in Armenia's music scene, winning numerous national and international competitions and performing with symphony orchestras. She has also participated in all three of our Zartonk Music Academies: Vanadzor (2019), Artsakh (2022) and Yerevan (2024). This March, Aida will attend the prestigious Schiermonnikoog Festival in the Netherlands for two weeks, where she will participate in masterclass sessions with the renowned pedagogue Avedis Kouyoumdjian, professor at the Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien. This represents an extraordinary opportunity for Aida to further her artistic growth. The Delia Bugada Scholarship will cover all of Aida’s expenses for the festival, including airfare, tuition fees, and local costs, ensuring she can focus entirely on this pivotal moment in her career.
Lessons in Charity
The Delia Bugada Scholarship is more than financial aid—it is a testament to the life-changing impact of thoughtful giving. Delia’s decision to invest in Aida’s future reflects a profound understanding of privilege and responsibility.
Charity, in this context, is not simply about providing resources; it is about empowering others to achieve their dreams. For young people like Aida, such support opens doors to opportunities that might otherwise remain out of reach. For those who give, it is a chance to connect with a larger purpose, learning humility, gratitude, and the joy of uplifting others.
A Call to Action
Families who are privileged enough to enjoy stability and opportunity—like many of us in Canada—have a unique chance to use those advantages to uplift others.
We encourage families to engage with the work of the Atken Armenian Foundation and involve their children in this meaningful mission. Whether by supporting scholarships, funding cultural initiatives, or sponsoring talented individuals like Aida, the possibilities for creating positive change are endless.
By following in the footsteps of the Bugada family, parents can help their children develop a deeper awareness of global inequities and foster a lifelong commitment to generosity and connection. Together, in these turbulent times for Armenia and the planet, let us champion talent, celebrate hard work, and embrace the transformative power of giving.
Contact us today at [email protected]
Atken Armenian Foundation
Start Your Own Scholarship Fund! Donate Now (no fees)