WATERTOWN — The Armenian Museum of America recently announced the third in its bi-monthly Online Concert Series. The performance is being recorded live in New York by three Armenian sopranos, Hasmik Meikhanedjian, Alvard Mayilyan, and Anahit Zakaryan. They will be accompanied by pianist and composer Hayk Arsenyan. The concert, titled “Kez het Hayastan” (With You, Armenia), is dedicated to Armenia.
The event will be aired online on Sunday, February 14 at 2 p.m. EST. It is free, open to the public, pre-registration is not required, and the video will be made available on the Museum’s website and social media pages including Facebook. This concert series is supported by a generous grant from the Dadourian Foundation, and it is curated exclusively for the Armenian Museum audience by artistic director and Konstantin Petrossian, who is a composer and conductor.
“We’re excited to present this third concert to our members, followers, and community,” noted Executive Director Jason Sohigian. “We joined many institutions in offering virtual programs during the pandemic so people can remain connected while we are temporarily closed. Normally we would host performances such as this in our gallery, but we are happy to host it online for our community in Watertown, Los Angeles, and around the globe. It is fitting because the audience at the Armenian Museum is truly global and people visit our website and social media pages from more than 75 countries.”
The Armenian Museum of America has expanded its offerings of virtual events while the galleries are temporarily closed to comply with COVID-19 regulations. In addition to the concert series, online programs include a weekly “show and tell” video about an object from its collection by Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian and a monthly virtual exhibition series, which has already featured Artsakh Rugs and Armenian Embroidery.
Hasmik Meikhanedjian has been singing professionally for more than 30 years. She has degrees in music from the Armenian State Pedagogical University and Komitas State Conservatory. Meikhanedjian has worked with the State Radio and TV Chamber Choir of Armenia, performed in numerous festivals and concerts throughout Europe and the US, and was a member of the choir of Holy Echmiadzin. She joined the St. Vartan Cathedral Choir in 1993, for which she is currently one of its leading soloists.
Alvard Mayilyan is an expert in Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque music and has performed throughout Europe and the US. She holds a master’s degree in voice and academic music from Yerevan State Conservatory. She has served as vocal coach to the Gomidas Choir of the Eastern Diocese in New York, and as director of the children’s chorus of the New Rochelle Opera. Her singing is featured throughout Sonia Balassanian’s film “Who Is the Victim?” which was presented at the Venice Film Festival.
