Author Archives: aratopouzian
2018 Kresge Artist Fellows Announced
Each year I eagerly await the announcement of the Kresge Artist Fellows. I am always impressed by the winners and their artistry. As a musician, I feel proud to be part of such a group of artists but more importantly … Continue reading
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Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown – Armenia
If you haven’t heard about the recent episode of Anthony Bourdain traveling to Armenia as part of his series Parts Unknown, you have most likely been living under a rock for the last month. I have to admit I have … Continue reading
Posted in Armenian, armenian genocide, art
Tagged Anthony Bourdain, Armenia, art, children, CNN, Food, Karabagh, Parts Unknown
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Latest Michigan Nonprofit report shows impact of arts organizations have on economy
I have long been an advocate for the arts both on a local and national basis. The arts plays such a vital role in so many categories – education, child development, jobs, and economic impact. Currently, I am involved with … Continue reading
Posted in Creative Industries, Uncategorized
Tagged advocacy, Arts, chamber of commerce, culture, economy, Education, jobs, michigan, nonprofit
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Armenian Music in Hartland, MI
Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to perform Armenian and Middle Eastern music in Hartland, Michigan. This is a small community with under 15,000 people and not richly diverse, but a community that wants to embrace diversity. The Cromaine … Continue reading
Documentary and presentation on Armenian Genocide in Detroit
SHALL NOT PERISH The Story of Near East Relief and The Near East Foundation Documentary and Presentation The documentary details the unprecedented humanitarian efforts of thousands of Americans who saved a generation of refugees and orphans in the aftermath of … Continue reading
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Jim Stoynoff, Greek/Macedonian Klarino
In a recent blog about Yiannis Roussos, I mentioned my friend Jim (Dimitri) Stoynoff. He is another phenomenal musician that is a bit of a walking encyclopedia of history about Middle Eastern music and more importantly, the scales (makams) which … Continue reading
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Fred Elias (1922-2018) – Legendary Violinist
Fred Elias was a legendary musician. An Arab violinist, living to an impressive age of 95 years old, passed away only a few hours ago from the publishing of this blog. He was well regarded throughout the country, especially in … Continue reading
Posted in music, Uncategorized
Tagged arab, Armenian, Fred Elias, Middle Eastern, music arabic, violin
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Greek Santouri player Yiannis Roussos
Several years ago, I met Jim Stoynoff, a Greek/Macedonian clarinet player from Chicago. We met at a Chicago music/folk dance festival that I attended because I knew oudist Joe Zeytoonian was coming in to play the gig and we had … Continue reading
2018 Musical Resolutions … or Goals?
As the new year turns, we all have aspirational resolutions that we want to accomplish. We have all done it whether we write them down or keep them tucked in our minds. How many of those really get realized?! I … Continue reading
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Interview with Armenian Kanonist Jack Chalikian by Paul Maranian, Antranig Kzirian, Harry Kezelian
This is a in-depth personal interview with one of my Armenian musical mentors, Jack Chalikian. I wrote a short blog about Jack in 2014 but this interview gives a great insight to Jack’s background, his influences and music. Paul Maranian (Scottsdale, … Continue reading
Posted in Armenian, music, Uncategorized
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HYE Times 