(Photo Credit: Mher Vahakn)

Musician, composer, conductor, pianist and orchestrator, Greg Hosharian began playing the piano at the age of four, when his father, composer/conductor Edward Hosharian, became his first music teacher. When Greg was 13, he studied under pianist Akiko Dohi and began to compose his own music, winning piano competitions playing both classical selections and his own works. He attended the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, where he experimented with different instruments and styles of music. Greg holds a Bachelor’s Degree in composition from California Institute of the Arts and Master’s Degree in composition and orchestration from California State University, Northridge. Active in composing and orchestration, Greg creates soundtracks for film, television, animation and video game projects. He also currently teaches music at Armenian Mesrobian School.

Greg has toured across Europe and North America as a keyboardist with the progressive rock band Redemption, opening for Dream Theater. He has also formed three bands of his own in which he plays the keyboard: Vendetta, Hosharian Brothers Band (in which his brother, Peter Hosharian, plays the clarinet) and Armenian Space Station. In 2009, Armenian Space Station performed an exceptionally well-received concert in Yerevan, Armenia.

Greg started The Armenian Pops Orchestra in 2010.  The Orchestra made its much- anticipated debut performing the premiere orchestral version of Greg’s composition “Symphony No. 2 – The Waters of Lake Sevan” on October 24, 2010, at Zipper Hall in Los Angeles. The three movements depict a person’s fanciful dream through a three-day musical journey in this exquisitely beautiful setting in Armenia.

With the revitalization of the Edward Hosharian Scholarship Fund, Greg will continue to work closely with scholarship recipients, providing an avenue for the expression of their musical talents and incorporating them in future concerts.

Greg is in the planning stages of organizing a series of concerts incorporating all of the genres he is passionate about — ethnic Armenian classical, chamber, jazz and rock music — at various venues across the globe. These concerts, at which he will also perform, will showcase his original compositions.

What inspires you to create?

Music inspires me to create, art inspires me to create and people inspire me to create. I’m influenced by many. My influences stem from my childhood with my father Composer, Conductor Edward Hosharian.  He was my main inspiration and still is to this day.  Armenian music being part of my blood stream permeates my music even if I dont try to– its just part of me. Other influences include Armenian composers such as Khachaturian, Sayat-Nova, Komitas, Babajanian, Hovanessian and Amirkhanian.

Classical composers such as Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Rachmaninoff, Chopin, and Bartok. Film composers Alan Silvestri, Danny Elfman, David Grusin and John Williams. I’m also influenced by the following genres:  Rock, Metal, Jazz, Blues, Progressive Rock and bands like Rush, Dream Theater and the Doors.

Can you describe your greatest creative achievement?

I’ve composed and to continue to compose for Orchestra, Media (Film/TV/Animation) and for smaller ensembles such as chamber music, quartets and trios. I would say my greatest creative achievement would be my Symphony No. 2 “Waters of Lake Sevan” It was one of my favorites to compose and orchestrate for full orchestra and conduct live in front of hundreds of people.

What advice would you give to the next generation of creative people? 

I encourage all musicians to start off their training using classical music as the basis for learning.  What makes a musician is his or her diversity in musicianship.  Never give up no matter what stumbling block you encounter, and never let anything crush your dreams.

What one word would you use to describe yourself or the work you do?

Passion

Greg has a major upcoming concert on March 26, 2017 at the Ambassador Auditorium in Pasadena, CA. He will be performing with the Armenian Pops Orchestra.
Finally, the scholarship Greg and his family started for their father, Edward Hosharian Scholarship Fund, is giving a $5,000 scholarship to an Armenian student pursuing a musical education in college. More information can be found at: http://www.edwardhosharian.com

is a series of profiles of creative people throughout the world that I have either shared the stage with or have observed their talents from a far. The questions are my own and their answers are unaltered.