“Armenian Virtuosos” International Academy-Festival 2026: Results and Summary

Yerevan as a Regional Center for Music Education

From March 26 to April 4, 2026, Yerevan became a vibrant hub of international musical life as the “Armenian Virtuosos” International Academy-Festival was held, initiated by the “Music for Future” Foundation with the Yerevan Municipality as the General Partner.

This initiative was designed as a strategic step toward establishing a regional center for music education, bringing together international expertise and the potential of young Armenian talents to create a sustainable and impactful educational environment.

At the same time, the Academy-Festival was positioned as an international-level academy, where masterclasses, educational processes, and concert programs formed a comprehensive professional development model—supporting young musicians in their artistic growth and international integration.

130 Participants from Educational Programs and Yerevan Music Schools

The “Armenian Virtuosos” International Academy-Festival became a powerful platform for international cultural collaboration, uniting musicians from different countries with young Armenian talents.

The primary goal of the Academy was to create a dynamic educational environment where young musicians could learn from leading international professionals, expand their artistic horizons, and build meaningful creative connections.

A total of 130 young musicians participated in the program, including scholarship recipients of the “Armenian Virtuosos” educational program, beneficiaries of the “Born in Artsakh” initiative, as well as students from Yerevan’s music and art schools.

Thanks to the support of the Yerevan Municipality, 70 young musicians from Yerevan schools were granted free participation, gaining invaluable experience and developing new professional skills.

The 10-day program became an important step toward sustainable educational continuity, reinforcing the Academy’s role as a long-term development platform.

350 Masterclasses by International Professors

A key component of the Academy was its masterclass program, conducted by 19 internationally renowned musicians and professors who traveled to Armenia from abroad. In total, 350 masterclasses were delivered throughout the program.

The masterclasses were held in an open format, allowing students and teachers from various music and art schools to attend, observe, and engage directly with internationally acclaimed faculty members.

The sessions took place at leading educational institutions in Yerevan, including the Sayat-Nova Music School, the Alexander Spendiaryan Specialized Music School, the Ghazaros Saryan Art School, the Armen Tigranyan Music School, the Hovhannes Danielyan Art School, the Aram Tigranyan Music School, the A. Tigranyan Music School, the A. Tsitsikyan Music School, and the P. Tchaikovsky Secondary Specialized Music School.

The masterclasses were conducted by: Sergey Ostrovsky (violin, Switzerland), Esther Hopfner (violin, Austria/Denmark/Hungary), Denis Severin (cello, Switzerland), Dragan Đorđević (cello, Serbia), Razvan Suma (cello, Romania), Mikayel Hakhnazaryan (cello, Armenia/Germany), Luisa Sello (flute, Italy), Michel Lethiec (clarinet, France), Maria Chiara Bagnocci (bassoon, Italy), Tristan Arago (horn, France), Alex Czésar Elia (trumpet, Netherlands/Italy), Koryun Asatryan (saxophone, Armenia/Germany), Fernando Arias (percussion, Spain), Marianna Shirinyan (piano, Armenia/Denmark), Cédric Pescia (piano, France/Switzerland), Stanislav Solovyov (piano, Russia), Cordelia Höfer (piano, Austria), Hans Stockhausen (double bass, Spain), Anna Theegarten (violin/viola, Germany).

“Classical Journey to Armenia” Concert Series

The Academy-Festival was accompanied by a concert program consisting of six concerts, held at some of Yerevan’s most significant cultural venues, creating a living connection between education and stage performance.

The opening gala concert took place at the Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concert Complex, featuring Michel Lethiec (clarinet, France) as soloist, conducted by Peter Stark (United Kingdom), with the participation of the Yerevan Youth Orchestra (Artistic Director: Sergey Smbatyan).

In the following days, concerts were held at the Martiros Sarian House-Museum, the Yerevan Museum of Modern Art, the Aram Khachaturian House-Museum, and the Komitas Museum-Institute, featuring joint performances by faculty members and participants. The March 30 concert was held under the patronage of the Embassy of Italy in Armenia, attended by Ambassador Alessandro Ferranti and embassy representatives. The April 1 concert was organized under the patronage of the Embassy of Switzerland in Armenia, with the participation of Ambassador Andrea Barbara Baumann, as well as Ambassador Alessandro Ferranti. The festival concluded with a grand gala concert at the Komitas Chamber Music Hall, featuring the State Chamber Orchestra of Armenia.

Panel Discussions

Within the framework of the Academy, three panel discussions were organized, addressing contemporary challenges in classical music and its future development prospects.

Theme: “Who Is Interested in Classical Art Today?”

Venue: Vernatun

Speakers: Gevorg Poghosyan (Moderator, Keron Development Foundation, Director of the “Talents Fund” program), Anna Ter-Hovakimyan (Director, Music for Future Foundation), Artur Atayan (Head of Production, HOSQ Foundation), Yasha Israeliyevich (Participant, “Talents Fund” program; horn player, Armenian State Symphony Orchestra), Michel Lethiec (clarinet, France)

Theme: “A Musician’s Career: Dream or Reality?”

Venue: Matena

Speakers: Luisa Sello (flute, Italy), Cordelia Höfer (piano, Austria), Tigran Mnatsakanyan (Academic Director, Matena International School of Leadership and Professional Development), Fernando Arias (percussion, Spain), Martin Ulikhanyan (composer, arranger)

Theme: “The Future Musician: Competitions, Auditions, Foundations and Concert Opportunities. Venue: Aram Khachaturian House-Museum

Speakers: Marianna Shirinyan (piano, Armenia/Denmark), Cédric Pescia (piano, France/Switzerland), Martin Tovmasyan (Director, Aram Khachaturian Cultural Foundation), Mikayel Hakhnazaryan (cello, Armenia/Germany), Koryun Asatryan (saxophone, Armenia/Germany)

The 10-day program of the “Armenian Virtuosos” International Academy-Festival left vivid musical impressions in the hearts of all participants, created new cultural connections, and served as a foundation for highly positive feedback from faculty members, participants, and partner institutions. These responses once again confirm the importance and value of such initiatives. We extend our sincere gratitude to the Yerevan Municipality, the General Partner of the project, for its continuous support of cultural initiatives and its contribution to the education and development of the younger generation.

The Academy-Festival demonstrated that classical music today has the power to unite cultures, inspire individuals, and build meaningful bridges between people through education and music.