Topouzian Wins Farmington Hills ‘Artist in Residence’ Award

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich.—Armenian musician and Kresge Artist Fellow Ara Topouzian was chosen by the Farmington Area Arts Commission as the 2015 Artist in Residence. He was recognized on Fri., April 17, at an awards ceremony held at the Costick Activities Center in Farmington Hills.

This year marks the 39th year of recognizing excellence in the arts in the Farmington community. The Artist in Residence Award is given each year to a resident of Farmington or Farmington Hills who displays exceptional talent and artistic accomplishments. Topouzian represents one of two musicians that have received this award since 1976.

“It’s an honor to receive this award and to be part of a family of great artists within the community,” said Topouzian. “It is especially important to me to win this award as this year marks the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, and winning such an award also helps bring awareness to the massacres that began in 1915.”

Topouzian plays the kanun, a 76-stringed laptop Middle Eastern harp. He has performed throughout

the country both as a solo artist, as well as a member of Armenian and Middle Eastern ensembles and with renowned world music, jazz, and fusion artists.

His music has been featured in several nationally aired PBS documentaries. In 2012, he performed an original concerto written for the kanun as a guest soloist with the Virginia Commonwealth University Symphony.

In 2015, Detroit Public Television aired Topouzian’s film documentary, “Guardians of Music: A History of Armenian Music in Detroit,” which pays homage to Detroit-Armenian musicians that carried the tradition of performing Armenian folk music for the community.

For more information about Topouzian and his music, visit www.aratopouzian.com.