I’ve been told I sing best when I’m channeling my emotions.When singing at my grandfather’s funeral, the last thing that I wanted to do was channel my emotions, but putting my soul into the music that day moved me in ways I can’t compare with anything else and it taught me the importance of showing up. I want my singing to move others in the way that I experienced that day. 

 

Growing up, my family was very active in the Armenian-American community, working collectively to adapt to living to a new and very different world while preserving old world traditions. I spent my childhood singing on Sundays at our church and sometimes at charity performances to fund pilgrimages for young Armenian-Americans to visit their family’s homeland. Singing started as something I did for fun, but, through my practice, it also became a way to connect with my heritage and I was so happy to be able to help connect others with theirs as well. 

 

I studied for a degree in finance, but always truly wanted to sing professionally and so continued taking voice lessons and seeking opportunities to get my start. I’ve always hoped that those opportunities would come but also feared the uncertainty of not pursuing a stable, well paying job. This year, I realized that my career in finance, while safe and reliable, would also guarantee I never fulfilled my true dreams. I quit my job and resolved to make a career out of my music in any way that I can. 

 

I’m currently applying to conservatories in Italy. I’m doing this because singing gives me purpose in ways I cannot describe. 

 

Music has taken me down so many paths of self-discovery and helped me interact with such amazing people! I sang Brahams from the heart when auditioning with James Burton, Boston Symphony Choral Director, who literally got up from his chair to help me sight read because he saw potential. I will never forget that.