Author Archives: aratopouzian
A Tribute to Simon Javizian: A Guardian of Our Music, Memory, and Community
A couple of days ago, we lost someone truly special: Simon Javizian, at the age of almost 92. To many, he was a musician, a funeral director, a storyteller, and a pillar of the Armenian community. To me, he was … Continue reading
Posted in Armenian, detroit, music
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How Armenian Artists Are Responding to Displacement in 2024–2025
In the Armenian world, art has always been more than creative expression. It has been testimony. Survival. A thread tying one generation to the next. And in the last two years—following the mass displacement from Artsakh in 2023 and the … Continue reading
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When Music Becomes a Passport: The Role of Global Festivals in Preserving and Sharing Culture
Last weekend, I had the opportunity to perform at Troy Family Daze in Troy, Michigan, as part of their Global Troy celebration. I shared the stage with my trio — Jerry Gerjekian on dumbegs and George Nigosian on guitar — … Continue reading
Posted in culture, detroit, music, world music
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When Songs Travel: From History to TikTok
Recently, I came across a fascinating article on Houshamadyan: A Song’s Journey by Ara Dinkjian. In it, Ara traces the path of a melody—how it traveled across countries and cultures, transformed along the way, and eventually became part of the … Continue reading
Posted in Business of Music, creativity, music
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When the Clarinet Fell Silent: Remembering Jim Stoynoff
I knew this day would come, but I chose to ignore it—or maybe I just wasn’t ready to accept it. Our diverse musical community, spanning Armenia, the Balkans, Greece, and the Middle East, has lost a giant. Jim “Dimitri” Stoynoff … Continue reading
Posted in Clarinet, Middle Eastern music, Uncategorized
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Inspiration in Flip-Flops: How Vacation Unlocks the Creative Mind
There’s something magical about watching waves crash on a beach or sipping coffee in a quaint café in a city far from home. Suddenly, ideas start bubbling up. You feel lighter, more curious, and somehow, more creative. It’s not a … Continue reading
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August: The Month That Forgot It Had a Purpose
August is the middle child of the calendar—awkward, hot, and constantly trying to prove it matters. It doesn’t. While January is out here reinventing lives and December is hosting year-end galas, August just…exists. It’s like the tambourine of months—technically part … Continue reading
Posted in Humor
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Old Tunes, New Energy: A Reflection from the AYF Jr. Olympics Dance
I recently had the opportunity to perform with The Hye Vibes, led by Mark Gavoor and friends, at the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) Junior Olympics in Chicago, IL. It was a weekend filled with spirited competition, tradition, and a hopeful … Continue reading
Posted in Armenian, culture, music
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The Death of the Compact Disc (But Not Its Charm)
Let’s be honest: the compact disc is basically dead. Not in a dramatic, memorial-service kind of way—but more like a quiet retirement that nobody talks about. Streaming took over, downloads dwindled, and suddenly the shiny little discs we once proudly … Continue reading
Posted in Humor
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HYE Times 