Tigran Vardanyan

Tigran Vardanyan

Instrument: Violin

With the RPO since: 1998

Favorite time of year in Rochester: Spring. I like to see nature wake up and come to life again.

Hometown: Yerevan, Armenia.

What you're most likely to order at Java's: An almond croissant and a double espresso.

First music-related memory: Listening to my cousin practice 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, and the great masters of the past.

Favorite ice cream flavor: chocolate

What are your other "hidden" talents? One word: Grilling! I also enjoy gardening and chess ... don't know about talent though. : )

Do you teach private students? Yes, and I also teach at the Hochstein School of Music.

Favorite restaurant in town: Golden Port. It's so close to work, it's fast, and everything tastes great.

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 tortoises and a goldfish.

The RPO is essential to Rochester because ... It is the artistic tradition of this town!

Biography

Tigran Vardanyan was born in Yerevan, Armenia. He began his violin studies with his father at the age of six. While still very young, Tigran was given opportunities to perform as a soloist with the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra, the Armenian Chamber Orchestra, and the Armenian TV and Radio Orchestra.

In 1994, Tigran immigrated to Los Angeles, Cal. to study with the renowned Ukrainian violinist, Abram Shtern. In 1996, he moved to Rochester, N.Y. to study at the Eastman School of Music with Professor Zvi Zeitlin and in 1999 also joined Professor Oleh Krysa’s Studio.
 
Since 1998, Tigran has been a member of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and in 2000 was featured as a soloist with the Philharmonic playing the Sibelius Violin Concerto under the direction of Christopher Seaman. Tigran continues to perform as a soloist and chamber musician at various music festivals and concert venues in the Middle East, Europe, Central America, and North America. His repertoire includes concertos and showpieces by Bach, Brahms, Bruch, Chausson, Glazunov, Khachaturian, Mendelssohn, Mozart, Paganini, Prokofiev, Saint-Saens, Sarasate, Shostakovich, Sibelius, Szymanowski, Vieuxtemps, Vivaldi, Wieniawski, along with various recital programs. Tigran became a U.S. Citizen in 2009.