CLEVELAND, Ohio — In the Summer 2021 issue of the Cleveland Institute of Music NOTES magazine, Haig Hovsepian as the only Armenian student at the conservatory is recognized for his initiative to support Artsakh after the 44-day war for humanitarian purposes.
Hovsepian is a Masters of Music in violin candidate at the Cleveland Institute of Music. He received his Bachelor of Music degree in violin with high honors in 2021 where he had enrolled in the 5-year master’s program.
Hovsepian was a 2017 Belmont High School graduate and a 2017 graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music Preparatory School in violin receiving numerous awards, recognitions and winning a number of competitions including the BSO concerto competition.
He felt the need to do something to help his fellow Armenians in need after a devastating war with Azerbaijan a year ago.
He contacted his friends and administration at CIM with his proposal for a musical benefit concert entitled “Armenian Music for Peace. His friends and the administration were fully supportive for this humanitarian effort. He also contacted the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) to be the collaborative organization to facilitate the collection and transfer of donations to those in need in Artsakh.
The concert was virtual at the CIM Mixon Hall on March 31, 2021, with CIM donating all its resources, facilities and manpower with the support of President Paul Hogle on down.