Dear AAF Supporters,
We are thrilled to reflect on the past two weeks, celebrating the final concerts that marked a magnificent conclusion to this year's Zartonk Music Academy, a program of the Atken Armenian Foundation, held in Yerevan.
Our heartfelt gratitude goes to the Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory for graciously hosting us and providing a warm reception to our students and faculty. Special thanks to our esteemed Artistic Director and vocal arts faculty, the internationally renowned soprano Hasmik Papian, for her exceptional leadership, generosity, and artistic vision. Her ability to bring great artists into the Zartonk family is truly invaluable. We also extend our deepest appreciation to our distinguished Masterclass guests: violinist Levon Chilingirian, pianist Hayk Melikyan, cellist Narek Hakhnazaryan, musicologist Lusine Sahakyan, and, of course, soprano Hasmik Papian. Their expertise and mentorship have immensely enriched our students' learning experiences.
Our dedicated faculty deserves a standing ovation:
Narek Avagyan (Principal Flute of the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra)
Martin Bazarian (Past Concertmaster of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet Orchestra)
Karine Ohanyan (Head of Piano at the Komitas Conservatory)
Tigran Berkelyan (Faculty at Tchaikovsky Music School)
I also had the immense pleasure of working closely with several talented students, including violinists, folk instrumentalists, pianists, and chamber musicians. We were honoured by His Excellency Andrew Turner, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Canada to Armenia, who selected and hired our Folk Instrument students to provide the music for the first-ever Canada Day celebration in Armenia organized by the Canadian Embassy. Our students performed "O Canada," the Armenian anthem, and a wide selection of Armenian traditional folk music throughout the evening.
The closing concerts, held on June 29, June 30, and July 1, showcased the incredible talent of our students and the intense work done by our faculty:
June 29: Concert of Zartonk voice students and the Conservatory's Opera Studio
June 30: Zartonk Folk, violin, flute, piano, and chamber musicians
July 1: Zartonk Piano students at the Dilijan State Arts College
Finally, a few days after the final concerts, we had the privilege of hosting interviews and performances for Italian journalists, led by the acclaimed director, screenwriter, and documentary maker, Cecilia Fasciani. She is currently working on a documentary for Internazionale about Artsakh refugees. Ms. Fasciani chose to highlight our talented students from Artsakh, conducting the interviews in front of Komitas' statue, a powerful symbol of the survival of Armenian culture and music.
Thanks to supporters like you, we are proud to continue offering some of the top scholarships in the country, supporting the most promising music talents in Armenia. We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who contributed financially and with their interest, making yet another successful and meaningful Zartonk Music Academy possible. We look forward to another year of musical excellence and inspiration.
Till next year!
With gratitude,
Van Armenian
Director, Zartonk Music Academy
President, Atken Armenian Foundation