More News & Notes 
Tigran Vardanyan
Instrument: Violin
With the RPO since: 1998
Favorite time of year in Rochester and why: summer: it's warm!
Hometown: Yereva, Armenia
Drink or food you're most likely to order at Java's: Almond Croissant
First music-related memory: Listening to my cousin practicing the violin
I decided to be a professional musician... as long as I can remember
Favorite travel destination: home
Influential teachers: Zvi Zeitlin, Abram Shtern, Oleh Krysa
Favorite ice cream flavor: chocolate
What are your other "hidden" talents? I love chess ... don't know about talent, though.
Do you teach private students? some
Favorite restaurant in town and why: King and I
What types of music do you like to listen to? Anything but music that sounds like random noise without any emotional content.
Do you have a pet? I have three turtles, and will have a dog soon.
The RPO is essential to Rochester because... It is the artistic tradition of this town!