Pianist and Composer Karén Hakobyan Named Armenia Fund’s Cultural Program Advisor

PARAMUS, N.J.—Armenia Fund USA Eastern Region affiliate recently announced the addition of Armenian-American pianist and composer Karén Hakobyan as their new cultural program advisor.

Karén Hakobyan
Karén Hakobyan

On behalf of the board of Armenia Fund USA, Executive Director Lisa Stepanian explained the decision: “As a non-profit organization focused on building infrastructures, many of which include the cultural arts, as well as holding concerts in both Armenia and the United States, we thought it would be beneficial to have someone like Karén Hakobyan who is experienced within the cultural arts to help advise us when making decisions on the topic.”

Hakobyan has become a prominent influence in the international musical scene since his Carnegie Hall debut at the age of 17. He has received multiple different professional studies degrees at the Manhattan School of Music, Mannes College of Music, and the University of Utah. Hakobyan has performed in major concert halls in Armenia, the United States, Mexico, Germany, France, and Argentina. He has appeared as a soloist in the United States with the University of Utah Philharmonia, the Salt Lake Symphony, Summer Arts Festival Orchestra, the New American Symphony, and the World Festival Orchestra. Internationally, Hakobyan has appeared as a soloist with the Tucuman Philharmonic Orchestra in Argentina, the Monterrey Symphony Orchestra in Mexico, and, in Armenia, the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra, the Serenade Chamber Orchestra, and the National Chamber Orchestra. He is currently the artistic director of World Peace Sinfonietta, a New York based orchestra.

On May 6, Armenia Fund USA collaborated with Hakobyan and the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra to present a concert dedicated to the cultural and diplomatic relations of Armenia and Japan. The concert was held in the Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall in Yerevan. It was well received and laid the groundwork for future cultural exchanges between the two countries. It was also the start of new beginnings between Hakobyan and Armenia Fund USA.

On May 24, Hakobyan, along with the National Chamber Orchestra of Armenia, held a concert at the Armenian National Gallery to honor the Hyebridge Telehealth Telemedicine Program, which has been one of Armenia Fund USA’s important projects since 2009.

Armenia Fund USA is dedicated to supporting large-scale, self-sustaining initiatives with the greatest potential for a brighter future for Armenia and Karabagh, as they continue to undergo social and political transitions. The fund is primarily focused on sustainable physical infrastructure for the region and humanitarian and economic development for communities, families, and individuals. It is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization under U.S. law. All donations are 100 percent tax-deductible.

Below is Hakobyan’s statement on his new appointment.

 

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“Music has been my passion and purpose since my early childhood. Growing up in Armenia, which has such a rich cultural and musical tradition, was the perfect environment for a young aspiring musician. I was fortunate to study with some of the brightest minds in Armenia such as composers Edvard Mirzoyan and David Sakoyan, among others. In 2001, I graduated from Tchaikovsky School, which had an enormous impact on my early development, and briefly attended the Komitas Conservatory before moving to the United States in 2002 at [the] age of 16. I had always followed Armenia Fund’s caring involvement in the community but it wasn’t until about a year ago when I established a personal connection by meeting with Lisa Stepanian to discuss the Tchaikovsky Music School Reconstruction project. Being an alumnus of Tchaikovsky, I knew exactly how much it was in a need of a major reconstruction and could fully appreciate the impact such a project would have on the development of the future generations of students.

“Going through the challenges of becoming a professional taught me humility and hardworking ethics, but most importantly the appreciation for opportunities in education and professional growth. Armenia Fund does exactly that, by building sustainable infrastructure and investing in cultural and humanitarian programs. I am honored to be selected as the cultural program advisor of Armenia Fund USA, Eastern Region, and will work tirelessly towards contributing to Armenia Fund’s mission and helping to implement impactful cultural projects.”

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