Our Young Stars – 2008

Meghri DerVartanian and Mari Bazarbashian (Piano duet)
Aram Khachatourian | Saber Dance

Kirk Gulezian (Piano)
Claude Debussy | Le petit négre
Octavio Pinto | March, Little Soldier and Run, Run from Scenas Infantis

Nicole Azarian (Violin)
Jean Becker | Gavotte

Daron Hacopian (Piano)
Arno Babajanian | Dream

Serena Hajjar (Piano)
Arno Babajanian | Humoresque

Haig Hovsepian (Violin)
Charles Dancla | Concert Solo #1

Shant Mahrokhian (Piano)
Aram Khachatourian | Armenian Folk Dance

Kristina Ayanian (Piano)
Moritz Moszkowski | Tarantelle

Sammy Andonian (Cello)
Camille Saint-Saëns | Allegro Appassionato

Aram Galstian (Piano)
Aram Galstian | Winter Mosaic and Morning

Alexander Andonian (Violin)
Arcangelo Corelli | La Folia

Christina Azarian (Piano)
Ludwig van Beethoven | Sonata Op. 10 #1, 1st movement

Nune Karapetian (Soprano)
Special guest | Children Songs

Serenade String Ensemble
Franz Schubert | Serenade
[Students of Narine Dolukhanyan and Tigran Dolukhanyan]

1st Violins
Clarita Mazo, Reid Merzbacher, Sameer Lal, Aubrey Robertson

2nd Violins
Emma Gharibian, Arooshe Giroti

Cello
Charles Merzbacher

Piano
Ani Hovsepyan

Conductor
Tigran Dolukhanyan

Alexander Andonian
age13, is a seventh grader at the Rivers School in Weston. He began his violin studies at the young age of four, and by age 10, displaying advanced musical ability, was a competition winner, taking part in the performance of Vivaldi’s four violin concerto with the Community Youth Orchestra of Belmont. This past summer Alexander had the exciting opportunity to be accepted into and perform with the New England Conservatory Youth Festival Orchestra in Boston’s Jordan Hall. Currently, Alexander studies violin with Carlough Faulkner Carrol, and is a member of the Community Youth Advanced Orchestra and Select Chamber Ensemble, under the direction of Debra Thoresen. At the Rivers School Conservatory, Alexander studies chamber music under the tutelage of the renowned violinist, Magdalena Richter. Alexander also holds an adult Black Belt in Kenpo Karate and plays on a competitive AAU baseball team.

Sammy Andonian
began his study of the cello at the age of four, and displayed great musical promise from the start. Sammy, who just turned 10 this month, is the first chair of the cello section of the Community Youth Repertory Orchestra of Belmont, and in January of this year was a soloist with them, performing a work by Vivaldi for cello and orchestra. Last summer, Sammy was the youngest performer in the New England Conservatory Youth Festival Orchestra, whose final performance in Boston’s prestigious Jordan Hall was comprised of outstanding young musicians worldwide. Sammy continues his cello studies with Meghan Carye, and in addition, studies both the violin and piano. He is also a member of the Boston Children’s Chorus Concert Choir, performing frequently in the Boston area and traveling to New York City for a concert tour this May. As a fourth grader, Sammy attends the Smith School in Lincoln, Ma, where he plays on the travel soccer team. This May, Sammy will qualify for his jr. Black Belt in Kenpo Karate.

Kristina Ayanian
A 5th grade student at St. Stephen’s Armenian School in Watertown, Massachusetts Kristina is Miss Pre-Teen Boston 2007-2008. She is also the winner of NA Miss Actress competition [4th runner up for Talent and winner of best resume.] A recipient of the Spirit of America award, in 2005 she won “best resume”, was 1st runner up for actress and 2nd runner up for the talent competitions. Kristina loves to play the piano. A student of Nune Karapetyan for the past four years, in March 2005 she won in a competition commemorating the 320th anniversary of J.S. Bach’s Birthday. Her recital piece was “The Story Hour”, by William Brooke. Auditions were held in Boston, New York City, Princeton, and Washington DC. In May 2005, she was invited to play in the winner’s concert in the renowned Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Center in New York City, where Kristina was awarded a Certificate of Excellence. This year she received a scholarship from Ani foundation for Excellent Achievements in Music and a Certificate of Appreciation, for participating in the New England Sunrise with Shade Poster Contest. Kristina loves to sing, dance and act. Her first CD appearance with friends Aleksandr Djevelikian and Maria Hakopian is “Tsapik, Tsapik” crated by Noune Karapetian which was nominated Best Children’s Album of 2006 by Armenian Music Awards in Los Angeles CA. Her acting coaches are Miss Lorna Brunelle at Boston Casting and Lisa Korak at the Wheelock Family Theatre. Kristina starred in a musical adaptation of “The Lorax” by Dr. Seuss in Watertown’s Children’s Theater. She began ballet lessons at the Recreation Center in Burlington at 2, later continuing in “Creative Movement” Studio for Ballet and Tap in Waltham. Currently she attends Susan Wright School of Dance in Watertown where she takes ballet, tap, hip hop and jazz. Kristina enjoys helping people in need and give back to her community. She got first runner up for her community volunteer work between 7-10 years old girls from 50 States at National American Miss Competition in Anaheim CA. She volunteered for fundraising events at St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis TN and for UNICEF, and participated at “Light the Night Walk” for Leukemia in Wakefield MA. Last Christmas, Kristina visited the children at Mass General Hospital, who could not go home for the Holidays; she also visited the Hestia’s House and Sandra’s Lodge and brought stuffed animals and books for all the kids. Kristina is girl with big dreams.

Christina Azarian
was born in Boston 14 years ago, and started playing the piano at age 4. She has studies with Julia Bernstein, Nata Maharonian, Karine Bagdassarian and currently studies wth Ian Lindsay. She attends a piano seminar at the New England Conservatory and takes composition classes with Alla Cohen. Christina has attended Interlachen Arts Camp in Michigan twice, and hopes to reurn there this summer. She continues learning with the dream of one day attending Berklee College of Music and majoring in film scoring

Nicole Azarian
who is the sister of Christina Azarian, started her musical education with piano at the age of four. She now plays the violin and has been playing since she was six. She studies violin with Susan Jarvis at the New England Conservatory of Music. She also plays in the String Training Orchestra, conducted by Peter Jarvis. “I love playing the violin because it can make so many different emotions!” says Nicole. Nine-year-old Nicole Azarian, has performed several times at Boston Sympathy Hall. She hopes to perform in Carnegie Hall and knows she really needs to practice, practice, and practice!

Marie Bazarbashian
was born in Boston, Massachusetts on November 14, 1996. In 2000 she started attending St. Stephen’s Preschool in Watertown at age three. Marie started taking piano classes at Do Re Mi music studio at age seven with Marina Kavlakian. She participated in numerous concerts on several occasions, like Nursing Home, Entertaining Programs, Fundraising Dinners and etc. Presently she continues attending Do Re Mi music studio and with great joy and pride. Marie also dances in “Abaka” Armenian dance group. She is a bright and talented 11 year old student.

Meghri DerVartanian
was born in America on July 27, 1997 into the lovingarms of parents Arevig and Bedig DerVartanian. She began to attend nursery school at the age of three and ina couple of months will be proud graduate of St. Stepen’s Armenian Elementary School.At the age of six, Meghri realized her passion for piano and subsequently began to take lessons under the instruction of Deegeen Marine Kavlakian. Her talent rapidlyimproved while she focused much of her time on mastering Armenian pieces. Extending beyond piano notes, Meghri alsofamiliarized herself with both Armenian dance and culture. Besides piano, she attends weekly dance lessons at Abaka, where she learns modernized but traditional Armenian dancing. She also expands her cultural knowledge and Armenian traditional discipline as she attends Homenetmen Scouts every Saturday, she makes new Armenian friends every summer at panagoum (camp). Her exceptional musical talents have led to invitations to perform at various events such as a broadcast on the Armenian Independent Broadcast Channel, A.R.S. functions and most importantly gatherings at the Armenian Nursing Home. It is certain that Meghri will continue to follow her passion for playing piano and improve her remarkable talents in the future

Aram Galstian
is thirteen years old and a student at Chenery Middle School of Belmont. Aram has shown interest in composing music since the age of four, and began his music education at the age of five through private piano lessons with teachers Natalia Aharonian and later Nune Hakopian. For the last two years he has been taking composition lessons at New England Conservatory with Alla Cohen. In 2007 and 2008 he participated in Contemporary Music Festival at NEC with five variations composed for the flute and piano. Today he is performing the two of those compositions called “Winter Mosaic” and “Morning”.

Kirk Gulezian
Kirk is in the 6th grade and is eleven years old. He began piano lessons with his teacher Jane Wanger when he was three years old. He has played a variety of selections for schools, churches, and benefits as well as recitals and chamber musicals. Recently, he was the captain of the wrestling team at his school and he really enjoys soccer. Kirk is the youngest of six children

Daron Hacopian
was born in 1993 in Boston, Massachusetts. He began to study the piano in 1999 under the tutelage of Arous Badadian. Since 2005, he has continued his studies with Marina Kavlakian at the Do-Re-Mi Music Studio in Waltham. His repertoire consists mainly of Armenian folk music and classical compositions, in particular, those of Arno Babajanian. Daron has played recitals twice yearly as part of his studies. In addition, he has given many invited recitals at various venues, including the Festival of Youth Talent at the Longy School in Cambridge in 2002, the 100th anniversary celebration of the birth of composer Aram Khatchatrian in 2003, and the celebration of the artistic career of soprano Elvira Uzunian in 2004. In addition, he has played in school talent shows and community service recitals. Daron has consistently earned praise from musicians for the quality of his performances, as well as his interpretation of the musical pieces.

My name is Serena Hajjar.
I was born in Boston (Massachusetts) on October 17, 1996. I’m currently a fifth grader at St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School in Watertown. I have been studying piano with Shushan Parseghian since the age of 7. I particularly enjoy playing pieces by Armenian composers (Babajanian, Khachadourian.) I am also a competitive gymnast (Level 6 ) at Tumblekids USA, where I’ve been training over nine hours per week since the age of 8. I have consistently placed in the top 10 at local competitions. I won second place all around at the Level 4 Massachusetts State competition, with a first place on beam. Also recently I placed fifth all around at the State competition, with a silver medal at the beam event. In my rare leisure time, I enjoy reading, watching TV and baking

Haig Hovsepian,
9 y/o. Daniel Butler Elementary School (Belmont), 3rd grade. Violin teacher: Anna Korsunsky (Needham). Favorite violinists: Anahit Tsitsikian and Sergey Khachatryan. Loves music (not practicing), beat boxing, drawing, Spiderman movies and games. Extracurricular activities: singing in All Belmont Elementary Choir, swimming, biking, skating. Favorite food: Armenian cheese, American popcorn, Brazilian Casaba bread, Italian pizza, English muffins, and French fries.

Shant Mahrokhian
is now 12 years old and has been playing piano for 6 years. His piano teacher is Digin Shoushan Parseghian. He likes to play soccer, basketball and tennis. He graduated from St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School and now attends Clark Junior High School in Lexington, Massachusetts. His other hobbies include videoing, editing, and running. He has two sisters named Sanan and Sarine.