US-Armenian musician named Armenia Fund’s cultural program advisor

Armenia Fund USA Eastern Region affiliate recently announced the addition of Armenian-American pianist and composer Karén Hakobyan as their new cultural program advisor, the Armenian Weekly reported.


On behalf of the board of Armenia Fund USA, Executive Director Lisa Stepanian explained the decision: “As a non-profit organization focused on building infrastructures, many of which include the cultural arts, as well as holding concerts in both Armenia and the United States, we thought it would be beneficial to have someone like Karén Hakobyan who is experienced within the cultural arts to help advise us when making decisions on the topic.”

Hakobyan has become a prominent influence in the international musical scene since his Carnegie Hall debut at the age of 17. He has received multiple different professional studies degrees at the Manhattan School of Music, Mannes College of Music, and the University of Utah. Hakobyan has performed in major concert halls in Armenia, the United States, Mexico, Germany, France, and Argentina. He has appeared as a soloist in the United States with the University of Utah Philharmonia, the Salt Lake Symphony, Summer Arts Festival Orchestra, the New American Symphony, and the World Festival Orchestra. Internationally, Hakobyan has appeared as a soloist with the Tucuman Philharmonic Orchestra in Argentina, the Monterrey Symphony Orchestra in Mexico, and, in Armenia, the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra, the Serenade Chamber Orchestra, and the National Chamber Orchestra. He is currently the artistic director of World Peace Sinfonietta, a New York based orchestra.

On May 6, Armenia Fund USA collaborated with Hakobyan and the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra to present a concert dedicated to the cultural and diplomatic relations of Armenia and Japan. The concert was held in the Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall in Yerevan. It was well received and laid the groundwork for future cultural exchanges between the two countries. It was also the start of new beginnings between Hakobyan and Armenia Fund USA.

On May 24, Hakobyan, along with the National Chamber Orchestra of Armenia, held a concert at the Armenian National Gallery to honor the Hyebridge Telehealth Telemedicine Program, which has been one of Armenia Fund USA’s important projects since 2009.

Armenia Fund USA is dedicated to supporting large-scale, self-sustaining initiatives with the greatest potential for a brighter future for Armenia and Karabagh, as they continue to undergo social and political transitions. The fund is primarily focused on sustainable physical infrastructure for the region and humanitarian and economic development for communities, families, and individuals. It is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization under US law. All donations are 100 percent tax-deductible.