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    Musical Armenia Page banner - Kanun Player

    Musical Armenia Program

    Exploring Armenia’s rich musical heritage

    Armenian music is a rich tapestry of sounds and stories rooted in a deep history and presence and interpreted in various formats. Our Musical Armenia Program (MAP) invites you on a journey to explore a culture full of contrasts: old and new, traditional and avant-garde, east and west.

    Musicians of All Heritages and Levels Welcome

    Our program features 10-days of immersive exploration in Armenia with prominent Armenian musicians and musicologists, as well as concerts, collaborations and tours to offer a deeper understanding of the diversity and importance of Armenian music and culture. From folk to contemporary, liturgical to jazz, classical to blues - experience the many faces, personalities, rhythms and notes through this one-of-a-kind experience.

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    Personal
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    Musical
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    Guidance

    View list of 2023 instructors. 

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    Ancient-Spiritual-and-Medieval-Music Musical Armenia
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    Musical Armenia Armenian Folk Music Thumbnail
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    Musical Armenia Aram Khachaturian and Soviet Composers Thumbnail
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    Musical Armenia Post-Soviet and Contemporary Composers Thumbnail
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    Musical Armenia Jazz Thumbnail
    Tours of Armenian Cultural Heritage Museums

    Join the Program

    The cost for the program is $800 with housing at the AGBU Vahe Karapetian Center, or $600 without housing.

    Participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and secure their own housing while in Yerevan.

    Register

    2023 Session Dates

    Application Deadline
    05
    May 2023
    Program Start Date
    03
    July 2023
    Program End Date
    14
    July 2023
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    • From learning to play the duduk from the best to experiencing jazz piano, AGBU MAP exceeded my expectations. Not only did I have a chance to broaden my horizons musically, I was able to tap into the vast professional network the program offers and conduct interviews, making leaps in original research for my dissertation.
      Sopon Suwannakit, MAP 2018, Thailand
    • Despite being virtual, MAP still fostered a sense of community around the world. Being able to attend from my home in New York was such an incredible — and convenient —experience! The daily sessions were interactive, unique, and covered a breadth of information.
      Michele Anasa, MAP 2021, USA
    • I've spent the best three weeks of my life in Armenia at MAP in 2014, immersed in its beautiful nature and music, and made great friends from all around the world. I'm so thankful to have participated virtually this year too, with the lectures as unique as they were.
      Rosy Shoushanian, MAP 2021/2014, Syria
    • The Musical Armenia Program offered me the opportunity of personal growth musically and culturally and has given me gifts that will last a lifetime—ones that I will cherish in my heart and soul as an Armenian.
      Ruth Hartunian-Alumbaugh, MAP 2019, USA
    • Thanks to AGBU for giving this wonderful and dream of an opportunity to our daughter Roubina, she will never forget it. We are proud to be a part of AGBU, and we recommend every young musician from around the world to be a part of this experience.
      Raffi Artinian, MAP 2015, Syria
    • The Musical Armenia Program gives you a new vision of music, art, and culture through both the extraordinary teaching staff and the mesmerizing spirit of Armenia.
      Sybil Arsenyan, MAP 2019, Turkey
    • MAP was an ideal combination of not only enhancing my musical knowledge but also of discovering my homeland.
      Stephanie Mangioglu, MAP 2018, USA

    Frequently Asked Questions

    • Program Inquiries
    • Travel and Accommodations
    • Tuition and Fees
    Program Inquiries
    I’m really interested in the program, but I’m not Armenian. Can I still participate?

    Of course! MAP is open to musicians and music lovers of all heritages and backgrounds. We are so proud of our Armenian culture that we want to share it with everyone who is interested.

    I love to perform and play music, but I don’t consider myself a professional musician. Will I be overwhelmed by the program?

    Each participant is paired with a teacher based on his or her level of musicianship and style (that’s why we ask a video or recording of you performing). Your one-on-one lessons are tailor-made for you to help you improve as much as possible during our program.

    I’m interested in taking piano lessons, but also want to learn how to play the duduk. Can I do both?

    Yes, MAP participants can take one-on-one lessons in their instrument of choice, voice, composition, conducting, etc., or a combination. However, we don’t recommend that you choose more than two, that way you’re able to get do in-depth work with your teacher and make progress during MAP.

    Where will the lectures and lessons take place?

    The lectures will take place at our AGBU Yerevan offices, located at 2 2 Melik Adamyan St, Yerevan, just off Republic Square in downtown Yerevan. One-on-one lessons with instructors will take place at the Tchaikovsky Music School at 36 Yeznik Koghabatsi Street, also in downtown Yerevan and less than a 15-minute walk from AGBU Yerevan.

    Travel and Accommodations
    What are the program dates and when should I plan on arriving/leaving Yerevan?

    Our program begins on July 3rd and our final day is July 14th.

    Participants staying at our AGBU Vahe Karapetian Center should plan on arriving in Yerevan on July 2nd and departing on July 15th, and AGBU will coordinate picking you up and dropping you off at Zvartnots International Airport.

    Participants choosing to find their own accommodations can plan on arriving as far in advance and staying in Yerevan as long as they want! But they will have to arrange their own transportation to/from Zvartnots Airport.

    What is included in my stay at the AGBU Vahe Karapetian Center?

    AGBU owns and maintains its own private facility just outside the delightful city center. The AGBU Vahe Karapetian Center is a spacious, state-of-the-art, fully furnished multi-purpose facility for international youth who have traveled for AGBU activities.

    Accommodation features include shared bedrooms (2 to 3 people per room), a communal kitchen & indoor entertainment space including a library, chess room, game room, and TV room. The space also boasts a comfortable outdoor entertainment space. Services include daily breakfast, Wi-Fi, free laundry and cleaning service and a 24/7 building security guard.

    The program maintains a reasonable curfew for the safety of the group.

    Do I need a visa to travel to Armenia?

    Most nationalities do not need a visa to enter Armenia, although there are some exceptions. If necessary, though, obtaining a visa or an e-visa is quick, simple and quite inexpensive. For more information, and to see if you would need a visa, visit https://www.mfa.am/en/visa/

    What should I bring with me?

    If you’re an instrumentalist (i.e. violin, trumpet, flute, etc.), don’t forget your instrument! And be ready for the Yerevan summer: temperatures can get high, so pack shorts, t-shirts, and a bathing suit just in case. And be sure to have clothes for going out at night, there will be plenty of laid-back group meals, concert going, rooftop bars, and of course our end of the program Gala Concert.

    Tuition and Fees
    What is included with the program fee?

    The program includes 5 lectures on the history of Armenian music at our AGBU Yerevan offices, 5 one-on-one lessons with Armenia's top musicians on your instrument of choice at the Tchaikovsky Music School, tours and outings to museums and cultural sites, exclusive networking opportunities, and our end of the program Gala Concert at AGBU Yerevan.

    Select group meals and transport to/from group activities will be included.

    For those staying at the AGBU Vahe Karapetian Center, breakfast and laundry is also included (see more details above).

    What other costs should I anticipate?

    You should plan on bringing spending money during the program. Yerevan is a fairly inexpensive city, for example cab rides run around $3 USD. You will need to cover some meals, evening outings and of course souvenirs shopping to bring a piece of Armenia back home – we will be going to the vernissage, after all!

    Connect with us at musicalarmenia@agbu.org

    AGBU Musical Armenia

     

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