Alisa Gukasian is a kamancha fellow under the mentorship of Vardan Baghdasaryan during the 2024-2025 academic year.

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 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 Mr. 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 Dr. Lorenz Gamma. Currently, she pursues her graduate studies at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music under the tutelage of Professors Movses Pogossian and Varty Manouelian.