Category Archives: Uncategorized
How the Song Was Carried
Do you remember playing that game as a child — telephone tag? Someone would whisper a sentence into the ear of the person next to them, and it would move around the circle, one person at a time. By the … Continue reading
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The Unexpected Role of Armenian Music in Rebuilding Identity After 1915
Most of us underestimate the power of what we carry forward—until a moment like this. Ara Topouzian reflects on the deeply personal significance of Armenian Heritage Month, revealing how music, stories, and traditions serve as the enduring bridge between past and future. In … Continue reading
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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 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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The Impact of TikTok on Artists: Navigating Change in a Digital World
In recent months, TikTok has been a key player in the music industry, offering artists a unique platform to showcase their talent, connect with fans, and go viral. The app has helped countless musicians, from established acts to up-and-coming creators, … Continue reading
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Michigan Creates, New Podcast Series
For several years I served proudly on the Michigan Arts & Cultural Council (MACC) through appointments by both Governor Snyder and Whitmer. The experience I gained being a council member exposed me to abundance of artists and arts organizations in … Continue reading
Posted in art, creativity, culture, detroit, music, Uncategorized
Tagged amazon, apple podcast, Ara Topouzian, art organizations, artists, Arts, culture, fyp, marketing, michigan, michigan creates, musicians, painters, podcast, promotion, spotify, writers, youtube
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The Next Generation and Cultural Continuity
Armenia, with its rich history and vibrant cultural heritage, has faced numerous challenges throughout the years. Recently, the conflict in Artsakh has left an indelible mark on the Armenian diaspora, highlighting the need to fortify cultural bonds in the face … Continue reading
Posted in Armenian, armenian genocide, art, Artsakh, culture, detroit, Genocide, music, Uncategorized
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The Irreplaceable Essence of Live Music: Why ChatGPT Can’t Compare
Lately, I have been very curious about Chat GPT. I was at a conference and a presenter did a deep-dive into it and it intrigued me. For those unfamiliar, this is a Artificial Intelligence tool that uses language. Here is … Continue reading
Posted in creativity, Uncategorized
Tagged AI, Artificial Intelligence, Chat GPT, music
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My Wife is a Curious Creative
In the several years of writing this blog, I have never dedicated a post to my wife, Della, but it is certainly about time. For those of you that personally know me, know how very proud I am of my … Continue reading
Posted in culture, Journalism, Uncategorized
Tagged America, Arts, author, Beirut, Blue Duffel Bag, culture, Curious Creative, DEI, Della Cassia, diversity, French, Immigrant, Lebanese, Lebanon, Literary Mama, writing
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HYE Times 