When Komitas Rocks out

Khatchadourian’s top musical influences cover a wide spectrum, including the likes of Michael Jackson, Bjork, Tory Amos, opera composer Richard Wagner, Nina Simone and Jeff Buckley. Her favorite Armenian musicians are System of a Down and Datevik.

Her first CD, “Midan” (“My Home”), won the “Best Rock Album” award at the Armenian Music Awards in Los Angeles in 2009.

Khatchadourian said she overcomes cultural and political barriers through music. She said she believes the universal language of music and, specifically, rock music, enables her to connect with her non-Armenian audience.

“Rock is very old. It’s an institution; it’s a school. [I]t’s very easy to reach people through rock because you have many styles and all generations have listened to it,” she said. “I love rock.”

A testament to the universal power of music is when she sees people crying with emotion while she sings, “especially the ones who don’t understand Armenian.” By converting traditional Armenian songs into rock, she gives the familiar tunes a revamp. Your ears may be accustomed to hearing the peaceful Sari Siroun Yar with the trilling kanon and the soothing duduk. However, Khatchadourian updates the song with electric guitar and upbeat drums in her version, while keeping true to the gentle nature of the melody. “My greatest wish is to help non-Armenian people and young Armenians discover their Armenian heritage through my music,” she said.

For Khatchadourian, a singing career is not about personal gain. The singer chose to donate proceeds from her debut album to the Khatchig Babikian Foundation, which helps Armenian students in Lebanon earn scholarships to universities throughout the country.