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H E O F F I C I A L M A G A Z I N E O F T H E
T
T K E N A R M E N I A N F O U N D A T I O N
A
I S S U E N O . 1 / / V O L U M E N O . 1 / / S E P T 2 0 1 7
ATKEN
A “ S C H O O L ” Y E A R I N R E V I E W
Armenia’s best-kept secret in Georgia?, p. 11

T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S
Vocalise
14
Editor’s Notes
03
05
A Musical Christmas
06
07
09
10
11
12
Maro
Magnificent
Vayots Dzor
Dispatch
Petit Prince
Le
Soldier’s Tale
A
in Javaghk & ...
Miracle
and Trees
Bees
15
16
18
19
Emerging Artists
Splendid Siblings
On the Go!
Credits, Contacts, etc.

Atken Armenian Foundation has been discovering, serving, and guiding young music talent in
The
regions of Armenia for the past 10 years. Our work in poverty reduction is growing rapidly
the
new initiatives and collaboration. The last 12 months have proven to be very productive;
through
funds have correlated to greater results. For example, we are thrilled this year that 4 of our
more
first edition of ATKEN is a recap of what we have been up to the last 12 months. It is a great
This
to catch up for you non-Facebookers! You will meet mostly village children who only a
way
of years ago had never heard of Scarlatti or Brahms and today are singing in Italian and
couple
You will get to know a young man who served on the border and saw his comrade
German!
3
E D I T O R ’ S N O T E S
ELEVATE YOURSELF
Fellows have been accepted into top Music Schools in the country and are on the path
young
have dreamt about. On the regional development side, in a few short years, our agro-
they
modernization projects will bring in 6-figure revenue to local farming communities.

by an enemy bullet last April, who today is preparing for lessons with a top voice teacher
killed
the Komitas Conservatory.
at
ATKEN, we would like to hear your stories, comments, questions, and experiences. At this
At
stage, we need your feedback. Students, teachers, parents, donors and readers alike, tell
early
what has been your experience with the AAF? Why is it important to help Armenia for you?
us
not start or support a project with the AAF and tell your friends about it through ATKEN?
Why
appreciate your interest and are happy to have you as a reader of ATKEN. The AAF is proud
We
the work it has done but truly needs your help to continue. We hope you will enjoy this first
of
ARMENIAN
VAN
EDITOR
Van Armenian is a professional violinist, teacher, and the president of the AAF.
Canadian-born
regularly plays and tours with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra and was recently a
He
of the All-Armenian Orchestra’s inaugural concert in Yerevan. He may be
concertmaster
at: vanarmenian@yahoo.ca or contact him through the AAF Facebook Page.
reached
E D I T O R ’ S N O T E S
issue and will join the AAF family where we Elevate ourselves by Elevating others!
4

start with a pivotal moment in the AAF
We
December 16, 2016, our first fund-
history:
concert. We set up a great organizing
raising
and found the ideal hosts for this
team
His Excellency, Ambassador of
concert:
to Canada, Mr. Armen Yeganian and
Armenia
wife Maria. Our beloved soprano and
his
member Aline Kutan truly made the
board
a magical one and a real
evening
of the power and glory of
demonstration
concert would not have been possible
This
our principal sponsors Arden &
without
Dervishian, and our partner sponsors
Christine
& Ana Afeyan, Hasmig Armenian, the
Levon
and Hagop Kestekian Foundation (Haig
Araxie
Virginia Misakyan), Drs. Jirair & Rita
&
impressive participation of the 40-some
The
choristers from the McGill Conservatory
young
and Youth Choirs under Penni
Children
the Mashtots Choir of AGBU under
Clarke,
5
and the Atken Ensemble helped
Quartet
this a very special and unforgettable
make
Montreal community friends got together
Our
volunteer and contribute in kind, namely:
to
Nazarian of Melan Print, Floriste
Garo
Ara Samson and Patrik Boghosian
Glamour,
George Maalouf of
photographers,
G.E.G., and Pianos H. Nalbandian.
Imprimerie
courageously risked the treacherous
Many
and parking conundrums to bring
weather
venue to near capacity. The AAF board
the
to make this an annual event in
plans
so keep posted, another concert on
Montreal,
horizon in December!
the
A M U S I C A L C H R I S T M A S
A MUSICAL CHRISTMAS
V. A.
Music.
experience.
Kuyumjian and an anonymous donor.
“Thank you Atken Armenian Foundation
for the beautiful Christmas concert
and wonderful projects
in Armenia!”
Gohar Manvelyan, as well as the HAYK Vocal
― Maria Yeganian ―

board members Antoine and Sheila
When
introduced Maro Simonyan to the
Terjanian
6 years ago, we found an energetic and
AAF
woman who wanted to bring
determined
culture to the children of her
musical
of Yegheknadzor. The AAF gave
hometown
a mission: build a serious children’s choir
her
head for the top!
and
the past 3 years, this choir has been
For
top prizes in Armenia and even a
winning
Medal in Georgia. There is a magical
Gold
when you enter the decrepit
atmosphere
Center; Maro has created a place
Culture
the love of music is palpable.
where
6
to Maro’s efforts, members of this
Thanks
such as Ani and Narek, are entering
program,
first year at the top music school in
their
the Komitas Conservatory. Another,
Armenia,
the talented Nané (pictured on p. 8), is
like
for a career as a folk-pop singer or
headed
even a choir conductor herself. Our
perhaps
class is growing, students, such as
piano
and young Gayane are practising
Seda
and showing promising results.
diligently
M A G N I F I C E N T M A R O
MAGNIFICENT MARO
V. A.
“I wish many successes to all your initiatives
as they are honest, kind and patriotic.”
― Maro Simonyan ―

THE MUSIC MAN
MHER,
talented young man eats and breathes music. We know he
This
AAF has a strong foothold in the
The
Dzor region. All our agro-
Vayots
takes place there and a
development
part of our music education
good
are based in the regional
programs
Yegheknadzor (affectionately
capital,
7
visits to “Little Y” motivate and
Regular
our top talents.
guide
IN THE MOUNTAINS
FLUTOPIA
amazing Yamaha flutes on loan to
Two
D I S P A T C H V A Y O T S D Z O R
PIANO LESSONS WITH TIGRAN
will go far, AAF has his back.
the local music school.
DISPATCH
VAYOTS DZOR
V. A.
A PILLAR OF THE AAF INITIATIVES
known as Little Y by AAF folk).

from having a bank of several
Apart
on loan to local music schools
instruments
as two beautiful Qanons, 2 flutes, 2
(such
and 4 pianos), we have invigorated the
violins,
musically speaking with the Armenian
area
Choir and have added Voice,
Children’s
Music History, Theory, Dictation, and
Piano,
classes. Every time our award-
Solfeggio
choir shows up in the capital Yerevan
winning
Y), heads are turned!
(big
instrument and voice classes are aided
Our
regular visits from specialists Tigran
with
8
course is also given to all our
English
by Verjiné Zabounian.
students
the past years, the AAF has helped
Over
healthcare sector of the area with
the
and equipment, has provided
donations
need scholarships to students of the
much
University, and has renovated a
Gitelik
of rooms in the Culture Center as
number
as a park and a playground. Board
well
Antoine and Sheila Terjanian,
members
the help of Naira Sargsyan of the
with
NGO oversee it all with loving care
Syunik
D I S P A T C H V A Y O T S D Z O R
Berkelyan and Herminé Gevorgyan. A weekly
on a volunteer basis.

in Little Y this April, we came across a
While
group of young actors performing
wonderful
Little Prince” by Saint-Exupéry. We were
“The
impressed by the quality and devotion to
truly
art form. Soon after, they were invited to
the
it in Yerevan! Unfortunately, they did
present
have enough funds to make it there. The
not
quickly went into action and found
AAF
from our friend Nancy Torosian,
funding
of Montreal’s Hay Pem Theatre
director
The costumes and sets were all made
Troupe.
the students and the director, Hrach
by
Impressive things happening in
Hovhannisyan.
Little Y indeed!
the
L E P E T I T P R I N C E
LE PETIT PRINCE
V.A
“The time for action is now.
It’s never too late to do something.”
― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry ―
9

it comes to harrowing tales, we all know
When
situation on the border with Azerbaijan is
the
of great concern. Young Narek from our
one
in Vayots Dzor completed his
program
military service in February of this
obligatory
His unit was posted on the border and
year.
in the middle of it all during the vicious
was
attacks in April 2016. His friend was
Azeri
next to him in one of the worst attacks.
killed
year later when we saw him in Armenia, he
A
still visibly shaken, but thanks to his
was
and the help of our teachers,
determination
managed to be accepted in the
Narek
Conservatory.
Komitas
these schools ask for irrational
Surprisingly,
fees that have no relation to the
tuition
10
of most citizens of the country. Even
income
the military service and “living outside
with
capital“ discounts, the cost was absurd
the
Narek. When he received the phone call
for
our representative Chaghig Arzrouni
from
the AAF would find a sponsor and
that
his tuition as long as he continues
guarantee
fantastic efforts, he was so taken aback
his
AAF does not allow talented and hard-
The
children to be forgotten due to
working
of the country; we will support
circumstances
as long as they continue to elevate
them
to the enormous challenge of
themselves
it in the music world.
making
A S O L D I E R S T A L E
A SOLDIER’S TALE
V. A.
that there was a full minute of silence. . .

few years back we met young Anna in a
A
town in Javaghk, Georgia. In January of
small
year we selected, now 13-year-old Anna
this
a special prize: a fellowship from the AAF
for
support of her extraordinary talent. Anna
in
spends 2-3 weeks in Yerevan,
regularly
by our wonderful voice specialist
hosted
Gervorgyan, for intensive daily voice
Herminé
only a few months, she won a
After
in Georgia with the possibility to
competition
in the finals in Italy. We took her
participate
Italy where she competed with
to
5 to 7 years older than her. Anna
candidates
one of 4 candidates selected by an
was
11
jury and Nino Lezhava, Director
international
the Academy Tebaldi Del Monaco, to
of
the Special Prize: A full scholarship
receive
participate in a 2-week masterclass in
to
is a talent to watch, mark our words!
This
AAF believes that talents such as Anna
The
be future ambassadors of Armenia, your
will
is needed to continue this work.
support
M I R A C L E I N J A V A G H K & . . .
MIRACLE IN JAVAGHK &... ITALY!
LIANA KHOSHBEKYAN
lessons.
Italy in 2018, room & board included!
“Make the AAF your voice in Armenia
this year.”
― AAF ―

board Members Tony Halepli and Antoine
AAF
in collaboration with the Syunik
Terjanian,
have spearheaded important work in
NGO,
Horticulture Development sector of the
the
Dzor region. This is an initiative that
Vayots
bring in 6-figure income to the region in a
will
short years; a project that will change
few
conditions of many families who live in
living
goal of the project is to contribute to the
The
of poverty in rural areas and to
reduction
the development of cooperation
promote
rural communities in Vayots Dzor and
between
12
their farming capabilities. For
modernize
part of the program will comprise
this,
and practical compulsory
theoretical
To date, with donations from Tony
courses.
have planted 4000 high-render fruit
we
and have given over 50 new
trees,
to villagers. We are grateful to
beehives
Syunik-Development NGO for their
the
and expertise in helping us make
guidance
project a reality.
this
B E E S & T R E E S
BEES & TREES
V.A
poverty.
“He who plants a tree, plants a hope.”
― Lucy Larcom ―

“DOING NOTHING FOR OTHERS
IS THE UNDOING
OF OURSELVES.”
― H O R A C E M A N N ―

years ago the AAF started a Vocal Talent program for the regions of Armavir and Kotayk. Under
3
leadership of soprano Herminé Gevorgyan (pictured left) and Tatevik Movsesyan results are
the
in! Two of the top talents, 16-year-old Ani (pictured) and Arminé, were accepted with full
rolling
to a top music college in Yerevan. They will be studying with Herminé’s own past
scholarships
June of this year the scope of the vocal program grew: Herminé and pianist Elen Kirakosyan, gave
In
in Ninotsminda, Javaghk (in Georgia) at the local music school. This is part of the
masterclasses
commitment to helping regional music schools get quality input to improve pedagogical
AAF’s
Both faculty and the students were thrilled with the sessions.
levels.
14
V O C A L I S E
VOCALISE
L. K.
teacher.
The work of the AAF paying off one student at a time! We promise there is more to come!

AND ANNA AT THE PARAJANOV
CHRISTINA
of the prize was to visit important cultural pillars in the
Part
Fellows, vocalists Christina from
AAF
(Vayots Dzor) and Anna from
Vernashen
were selected this year for a
Javaghk
gift. During the two weeks in
special
they had daily lessons with our
Yerevan,
specialist Herminé Gevorgyan, and
voice
to see museums and galleries. A true
went
immersion for these exceptionally
cultural
15
the museum dedicated to the
Visiting
core of the nation: Komitas.
musical
E M E R G I N G A R T I S T S
YEREVAN NIGHTS!
Teacher and student, a bond for life.
CHRISTINA MEETS KOMITAS
capital. Parajanov Museum is a must see.
EMERGING
ARTISTS
V. A.
diligent and musical youths.

we heard of 13-year-old Mariam, a
When
talented prize-winning flute
wonderfully
in Gyumri, we knew she would be the
student
candidate for an instrument we received
ideal
Professor Simon Channing, Head of
from
at the world-renowned Royal
Woodwind
of Music in London. The timing of the
College
of this flute couldn’t have been better:
arrival
own flute was no longer functioning in
her
registers! With the help of the much-
lower
instrument, she quickly won the
improved
to perform with the local symphony
chance
16
brother Alexandr, a pianist that the AAF
Her
taken under its wing this year (the AAF
has
him weekly lessons with our
provides
Tigran Berkelyan in Yerevan), won
specialist
prize at a competition securing him a TV
first
(pictured) and the opportunity to
interview
in a tour taking him to Austria,
participate
and Slovenia for concerts and
Italy,
all expenses paid. 10-year-old
masterclasses,
has an extraordinary talent and we
Alexandr
convinced, with Tigran’s guidance, he will
are
into a wonderful artist! Our promise
develop
you, dear AAF supporters, is that your
to
always go a long way!
donations
S P L E N D I D S I B L I N G S
SPLENDID SIBLINGS
L. K.
orchestra. The possibilities are limitless now!

“CHILDREN SEE MAGIC
BECAUSE
THEY LOOK FOR IT.”
― C H R I S T O P H E R M O O R E ―

AND ANI S., ANDIAMO!
ARMINÉ
vocal program quickly paying off with these two AAF Fellows
Our
Fellows Ani G. and Narek, from the
AAF
village of Karaklugh, Ani K. from
mountain
and Arminé from Ejmiadzin
Aradashen,
and got in their desired music
auditioned
in Armenia. They will be working
schools
the top voice teachers in the country.
with
thanks to our specialists Maro,
Many
and Tatevik for getting them to
Herminé,
18
G., FROM MOUNTAIN TO CITY
ANI
Fellow of immense talent starting
AAF
Fellow of immense talent also starting
AAF
now at the Komitas Conservatory.
studies
O N T H E G O !
studies now at the Komitas Conservatory.
NAREK, FROM SAME MOUNTAIN TO CITY
now enrolled in a top music college, full tuition paid.
ON THE GO!
V. A.
such high levels. Now, the sky is the limit!

Atken Armenian
The
is a
Foundation
Canadian
registered
Charity
to this issue:
Contributors
Armenian and
Van
receipts provided;
Tax
amount counts
every
T K E N A
1 1 0 R u e H a r b o u r
2
a v a l , Q u e b e c
L
7 T 2 M 5
H
AAF
costs:
administrative
you been touched
Have
the AAF by
us a short article
Send
we’ll publish it
and
the next issue
in
ATKEN. of
your article to:
email
vanarmenian@yahoo.ca
C R E D I T S , C O N T A C T S , E T C .
CREDITS, CONTACTS, ETC.
YOU?
NONE
and its activities?
Liana Khoshbekyan
Subject: ATKEN
C a n a d a