Educational Trip and First U.S. Concert of the Music for Future Foundation’s Young Musicians

On October 18, the Music for Future Foundation presented its first concert in the United States, in the culturally rich city of Boston. The concert, featuring the Foundation’s scholarship recipients, took place at the Scottish Rite Museum & Library, giving the audience a unique opportunity to experience the talent of young Armenian musicians. Organized in collaboration with the Friends of Armenian Culture Society (FACS), the event became an exceptional evening of classical music, showcasing the brilliance of Armenia’s young artists and uniting the Armenian diaspora community in support of their achievements and future development.

The concert opened with welcoming remarks by FACS Vice President Dr. Armineh Mirzabegian and Music for Future Foundation Director Anna Ter-Hovakimyan, who greeted the audience and highlighted the importance of education and supporting young talent. Among the distinguished guests was violinist/violist Ara Gregorian, Chair of the String and Piano Chamber Music Department at the New England Conservatory of Music. In his remarks, he emphasized the vital role of music education and the significance of supporting young musicians, noting the dedication, time, and effort that the profession of a musician requires. He also highlighted the extraordinary potential he sees in the Foundation’s young musicians, recognizing their commitment and love for their art, and expressed gratitude to the Foundation for its invaluable contribution to the development of Armenian culture and the next generation of musicians.

Performances at the concert featured the Foundation’s young musicians: cellist Aren Toplaghaltsyan, violinist Eduard Dayan, clarinetist Lilit Stepanyan, saxophonist Mikayel Harutyunyan, violinist Robert Seyranian, and pianist Edward Sargsyan, a scholarship recipient of the Born in Artsakh program. The program included works by Saint-Saëns, Ravel, Rachmaninoff, Garson, Bach, Komitas, Khachaturian, Chopin, and Beethoven. The Boston audience also heard the U.S. premieres of two works by Armenian composers: Yuri Gevorkyan’s Sérénade for saxophone and Arno Melkonyan’s In Memory of Artsakh for piano, performed by the composer himself.

During the U.S. educational trip, violinists Robert Seyranian and Eduard Dayan had the unique opportunity to meet and participate in a masterclass with world-renowned Armenian-American violist/violinist Kim Kashkashian, while pianist Edward Sargsyan attended a masterclass with the celebrated pianist Lilit Karapetyan-Shugaryan.

Throughout the trip, the young musicians enjoyed exceptional educational and cultural experiences. They performed for the students of St. Stepanos Armenian Elementary School, engaging in a warm and intimate atmosphere. The Foundation’s musicians also toured the New England Conservatory, explored its educational opportunities, visited Boston’s museums and landmarks, and immersed themselves in the city’s rich cultural life. Additionally, they attended a Boston Philharmonic performance at the Boston Symphony Hall.

Each day of the educational journey left unforgettable memories and inspired new possibilities, opening doors for the young musicians’ artistic and personal growth.

This trip once again demonstrated that the Music for Future Foundation opens new horizons for Armenian young musicians, providing an international platform to showcase their talent, connect with the global music community, and gain exceptional educational experiences. The Foundation remains committed to its mission to foster the development of young musicians, provide educational opportunities, and support their international success.