"Competitions are for horses, not artists" -Bela Bartok
CLASSICAL
As a classical pianist, I perform primarily 20th century music, and have
been involved in many premieres of composers in the Boston area and
beyond. I am particularly interested in the music of composers from Eastern Europe, such as Mansurian, Part, Kancheli, Gubaidulina, Ustvolskaya, Sharafyan, among others.
During the last few years, My teachers in Boston have been Gabriel Chodos (chair, NEC piano dept.)
and Jonathan Bass (faculty member at The Boston Conservatory).
IMPROVISATION
I am an avid improvisor. There is something very unique about musical ideas taking shape without the arduous planning that occurs during composition. I have given numerous solo improvisation performances, and enjoy improvising in group settings frequently.
I am a member of New England Skyscraper, a Butch Morris project.
I direct the The Palimpsest Ensemble, an improvisational chamber group, which meets annually with varying personnel, usually on the Harvard University campus.
MICROTONES
I have had the pleasure of participating in the American Festival of Microtonal Music in New York on numerous occasions, thanks mostly to my friend and tuning guru Paul Erlich. Our collaborative microtonal composition in 22-tone equal temperament was featured on WNYC Radio's New Sounds program. More information on microtonality at a later time...
ARMENIAN MUSIC
In 2007 I founded a group called Musaner, which has appeared in concerts in the US and Europe.
During 2006-2008I performed in Armenia as pat of Arthur Meschian 's band.
In 2006 I released a CD entitled The Komitas Project.