By Betty Apigian Kessel
BLOOMFIELD, Mich. — He is only 28 but if his November 19, dissertation recital is any evidence, violinist Henrik Karapetyan’s star is destined to rise to the heavens. Over 100 people attended the evening event held at the Bloomfield Township Library presented by the Metro Detroit area Tekeyan Cultural Association. Introduction was by Edmond Azadian with additional comments by Nora Azadian.
Karapetyan is a DMA (Doctor of Musical Arts) candidate in violin performance at the University of Michigan School of Music Theatre and Dance, the equivalent of a performance PhD, which he will receive next spring. He was accepted to do his doctoral studies in 2007 with full tuition and part-time teaching appointment as a grad student instructor.
The Michigan School of Music is often ranked as one of the best schools in the country, accepting only two to three violinists annually from scores of applicants. Being selected is an honor.
Karapetyan is a Yerevan native and comes from a family of musicians. Locally, he is the nephew of Anahit Toomajan, wife of Prof. Dicran Toomajan, therefore he comes with an impressive pedigree. He speaks Armenian, Russian, French and excellent English.
He began his music lessons at the age of 6 at Spendiarian Special Music School of Yerevan. In 1997 he entered the Komitas State Conservatory of Music in the class of distinguished Prof. S. Akhnazaryan.