Armen Adamian is a PhD candidate of Ethnomusicology at UCLA. His research examines the aesthetic dimensions and political implications of folk music in the post-Soviet Republic of Armenia. Alongside his academic work, Adamian is the co-founder and artistic director of the Los Angeles-based Armenian folk revival ensemble, Lernazang. He received his M.A. in Ethnomusicology from UCLA, a B.A. in Psychology, and a B.A. in Music Composition from Humboldt State University.

Vahan Avetisyan is a graduate of Abovyan Music School and continued his musical studies at the Komitas State Conservatory in Yerevan. During his time at the conservatory, he performed with several ensembles, most notably spending twelve years with the Armenian State Song and Dance Ensemble. Avetisyan has performed internationally, participating in numerous ensembles and competitions worldwide. Today, he remains active as a performer with several groups and as a woodwind instructor in Los Angeles.

Ally Cho is a doctoral student of Violin Performance at UCLA under the guidance of Movses Pogossian and Varty Manouelian. Her musical journey began in Gold Coast, Australia, where she first picked up the violin at the age of 5. Her path has been a remarkable adventure, taking her across the seas in pursuit of her dream. In 2018, Ally crossed continents to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in classical violin under the tutelage of Lucie Robert at Manhattan School of Music in New York City, broadening her horizons with chamber music opportunities. Since 2023, Ally has been a part of the VEM Quartet, the resident ensemble of the UCLA Armenian Music Program. She aspires to be a virtuoso violinist, captivating global audiences and inspiring future musicians. Her musical journey continues, with many more chapters and achievements yet to be composed.

Nariné Dellalian is a solo violinist at the Portuguese National Symphony Orchestra,  part of the TNSC opera house, Lisbon. She studied at the Tchaikovsky Music School in Yerevan, Armenia, and the Komitas State Conservatory, in the class of Hrachya Harutyunian. As a soloist, she performs regularly at the opera house, in Gulbenkian Foundation (Lisbon), and at various music festivals in Portugal. Throughout the years, she has performed as a soloist and as part of chamber orchestras in many countries, such as Portugal, Spain, Belgium, Italy, Austria, Armenia, France, Germany, the United States, and Japan.  She also performed for various media outlets in Portugal (Antena 2 classical music) and Armenia. She is the founder-violinist of the Câmerata Atlantica and Dellalian Trio, with whom she frequently presents the works of Armenian composers, among others. In 2017, the Dellalian Trio was awarded the Komitas Medal for promoting Armenian culture abroad. Nariné Dellalian regularly organizes events featuring the music of her father, Harutiun Dellalian. She is also the founder and president of the Hayrik Mouradian NGO. Among her productions are Sounds of Devotion: Harutiun Dellalian, Musical Relics of Armenia: Hayrik Mouradian (received “Best Album of Folk Music” by AMFA Los Angeles in 2001), Mokats Mountains (awarded “Best album of Traditional Music” at Tsitsernak National Music Awards in 2017), and a documentary on Harutiun Dellalian.

Niall Tarō Ferguson is a cellist, composer, and orchestrator. He received his bachelor’s degree in 2017 from the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, where he studied cello performance with Antonio Lysy and music composition with Ian Krouse and Bruce Broughton. Niall has participated in many international music festivals and performed on many of LA’s premiere contemporary music series. His concert works have been performed throughout California and overseas. As of 2019, Niall is a Program Associate with the Asia / America New Music Institute (AANMI), a collective that pursues cultural exchange through modern music. In April 2019 he participated in his first AANMI tour and contributed to lectures at institutions throughout Asia. Niall is of Japanese descent on his mother’s side and of Scottish and Irish descent on his father’s. He goes by both his Gaelic and Japanese names, Niall or Tarō, respectively.

Hayk Gargaloyan is a Mathematics major at UCLA and a continuing duduk fellow of the Armenian Music Program who studied under the mentorship of Emmanuel Hovhannisyan and Armen Adamian. Hayk performed in the first-ever Armenian Music Ensemble concert in the 2024 HASOM Spring Festival of World Music Concert Series.

Alisa Gukasian is an Armenian Music Program fellow studying kamancha with Vardan Baghdasaryan since 2024. Currently pursuing a master’s degree in Violin Performance at UCLA under the tutelage of Movses Pogossian and Varty Manouelian, Alisa is a dynamic soloist, chamber musician, and educator with over 15 years of experience. Specializing in making music education accessible globally, she advocates compassionate teaching rooted in strong technique and musical appreciation. Having trained under the students of renowned mentors such as Dorothy DeLay, Ivan Galamian, and David Oistrach, Alisa is versed in both Russian and Franco-Belgian methods. Throughout her career, she has performed in Europe, Asia, and the United States, earning accolades in competitions like the Bach Festival and the Colburn Orchestra Competition. Alisa embarked on her musical journey in Moscow, Russia, at age 9, studying under Avetisyan Nvard Colakovna before attending the prestigious Chopin Academy until she turned 12. Upon relocating to the United States, she joined the Colburn School, immersing herself in music theory, orchestra, and chamber music under the guidance of Joe Ketendjian. Graduating with honors from California State University Northridge, Alisa holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Bachelor of Music in Orchestral Strings, mentored by Lorenz Gamma.

Hasmik Harutyunyan is a Meritorious Artist of the Republic of Armenia. She specializes in traditional Armenian songs and dances. She was a soloist of the Akunq Folk Ensemble of Armenian National Television and Radio and is one of the founding members of the Shoghaken Ensemble. She has recorded several CDs for Traditional Crossroads of New York and Face Music of Switzerland. She has toured around the world with the Shoghaken Ensemble and performed with Oakland’s Kitka Women’s Vocal Ensemble several times as a guest artist. Her CD Armenian Lullabies was recognized by the New York Times as one of the best recordings of world music in 2004. At the Tashir Armenian Music Awards in 2010, Hasmik was named “Enchanting Voice of Armenia.” She has recently published Ororner: Armenian Lullabies and Arev, Arev, Yek, Yek, collections of Armenian lullabies and children’s songs with lyrics and recordings. Hasmik is the artistic director of Hayrik Mouradian Children’s Folk Song and Dance Ensemble and is currently an invited mentor of Armenian folk singing for UCLA Armenian Music Program’s fellowship program.

Mickey Hashim is a Mathematics and Ethnomusicology major at UCLA and a continuing shvi fellow of the Armenian Music Program under the mentorship of Armen Adamian since 2023. Mickey performed in the first-ever Armenian Music Ensemble concert in the 2024 HASOM Spring Festival of World Music Concert Series.

Antranig Kzirian is an oud performer, song writer, and educator. Known for blending rock, jazz, classical, and folk idioms, he has toured internationally with VI×ZA, String Harmonies, and Kef Time LA. He studied with distinguished musicians Ara Der Marderosian, Ara Dinkjian, John Bilezikjian, and John Berberian, performed and recorded with Rosa Linn, Serj Tankian of System of a Down, and Capital Cities, and worked with producers/songwriters Warren Huart and Rick Nowels. Antranig released a solo album ‘nOUD’ and co-founded TAQSIM.IM, a world music software and mobile app company dedicated to providing education and cutting-edge production technology in the realm of modal music. He is the oud mentor of the UCLA Armenian Music Program’s fellowship program.

Levon Mouradian is widely recognized for his unique and profound interpretations of music. As a soloist, he has performed with renowned orchestras and esteemed conductors. His performances have taken him across the globe, including the USA, Brazil, Japan, Korea, Russia, Armenia, Israel, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Belgium, Hungary, Spain, Portugal, and the former Yugoslavia. Additionally, he has given masterclasses at prestigious institutions and frequently performs and teaches at international festivals. From 1999-2015, Mouradian began leading the cello class at the State University of Évora (Portugal). Since 2015, he has been a professor at Portugal’s leading music institution, the Escola Superior de Música de Lisboa. Celebrated for his innovative approach to pedagogy, he is dedicated to bringing out the best in each student, guiding them toward their full artistic potential. Levon Mouradian has recorded multiple albums, showcasing a diverse repertoire. Today, he joins us from overseas for Hayrik Mouradian’s 120th anniversary as an esteemed musician and the grandson of Mouradian himself. 

Albert Ordinyan graduated from the Khachatur Abovyan State Pedagogical University of the Republic of Armenia with a master’s degree in Music Education. Albert entered the Armenian music world under the mentorship of his father Araz Ordinyan, one of Armenia’s most well-respected dhol players. Albert is among the most successful dhol players in his generation and has also founded his very own dhol school in Los Angeles, the Vahagn Dhol Ensemble. He currently performs in multiple Armenian ensembles throughout Los Angeles, accompanying artists such as Haykuhi Babakhanyan and Lernazang.

Movses Pogossian is a celebrated prize-winning violinist, Distinguished Professor of Violin at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, and Founder/Advisor of the UCLA Armenian Music Program. He participates in the Music for Food project, which fights hunger in local communities and gives the opportunity to experience the powerful role music plays as a catalyst for change. His recent CD releases include Con Anima, Hommage à Kurtág, Modulation Necklace, and Serenade with a Dandelion: Armenian Chamber Music, Old and New.

Lori Der Sahakian is a PhD student in Ethnomusicology at UCLA and a fellow of the Armenian Music Program, studying Armenian folk singing with Hasmik Harutyunyan since 2024. Lori received her Bachelor’s degree in Music from Reed College and worked as a research assistant with Dr. Shohei Kobayashi. She has several years of experience singing in choirs and a cappella groups and introduced the music of Komitas Vardapet (1869-1935) to Reed College’s choral program. Lori’s ongoing research project focuses on popular music in the Armenian diaspora.

Nare Sargsyan is a vocalist and dancer in the Los Angeles based Lernazang Ensemble. She is the granddaughter of the founder and former director of Maratouk Folk Ensemble, Mgro (Mkrtich) Sargsyan. With a passion for azgagrakan music and dance, she continues to honor and preserve cultural heritage through performance.

Mary Sekayan is a vocalist and dancer rooted in multi-generational musical heritage. She began singing in familial settings at a young age and started her musical training at UCLA, as a student in the Armenian Music Ensemble led by Armen Adamian and an AMP fellow under the mentorship of legendary Hasmik Harutyunyan. Mary continues to engage with her love for azgagrakan repertoire and performance as a member of Lernazang Ensemble. Professionally, Mary serves as the Program Coordinator of the Armenian Music Program at UCLA and is pursuing her M.S. in Counseling and Student Services at the Graduate School of Education at California Lutheran University.

Damon Zavala is a Mexican-American violist and violinist from Oregon. Currently pursuing a doctoral degree in music, Damon dedicates himself to part-time teaching of string chamber studies at UCLA, under the guidance of Brian Chen and Movses Pogossian, and at the SOL-LA Music Academy in Santa Monica. While at UCLA, he actively participates as a violist in the Armenian Music Program and is a member of the VEM Quartet. This experience not only enriches his understanding but also amplifies his ongoing commitment to showcasing a broad spectrum of cultural expressions in music. This dedication has most recently led him to a pivotal role with the Sphinx Organization, where he currently manages community arts organizations to enhance the representation of underrepresented communities in orchestral settings, striving to ensure that Black and Brown voices can be heard and valued. His efforts to broaden his teaching outreach and contribute significantly to both educational and commercial music sectors underscore his dedication to diversity and inclusion in classical music.