Armenian Virtuosos to Represent Armenia at the 27th International Nutcracker Television Competition

Young musicians from the Armenian Virtuosos program of the Music for Future Foundation — 13-year-old cellist Aren Toplagalyan and 13-year-old violinist Arpi Arabyan — will represent Armenia at the prestigious 27th International Nutcracker Television Competition.

The competition will take place in Moscow from November 30 to December 7, 2026, with the competition proceedings broadcast live on the SMOTRIM platform and the Russia-Kultura television channel.

The Nutcracker Competition is one of the most renowned international competitions for young musicians, providing talented young performers with an opportunity to compete in a high-level professional environment and present their artistry to a broad international audience.

The competition is held across three categories: Piano, String Instruments, and Wind & Percussion Instruments. Aren Toplagalyan and Arpi Arabyan will compete in the String Instruments category.

At the conclusion of the competition, nine laureates — three in each category — will be selected and awarded the Golden Nutcracker, Silver Nutcracker, and Bronze Nutcracker prizes.

The young musicians will be evaluated by an internationally acclaimed jury. The String Instruments jury includes world-renowned violinist and pedagogue Zakhar Bron, cellist Maria Zaitseva, and violinist Nikolai Tsinman.

The competition will also feature a Audience Choice Award, determined through SMS voting.

Aren and Arpi’s participation in the Nutcracker International Competition marks an important new step in their artistic journeys and offers another opportunity to showcase the talent and potential of Armenia’s young musicians on the international stage.

Through the Armenian Virtuosos program, the Music for Future Foundation continues to support talented young musicians by creating opportunities for their educational, artistic, stage, and international professional development.

We wish Aren and Arpi confidence, inspiration, and a memorable musical journey in Moscow.