KHACHATUR ABOVYAN ARMENIAN STATE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY

Sevada Shhoyan, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Culture of Armenian State Pedagogical University, has been named “Best Performer of the Year" during an awards ceremony organized by the World Association of Performing Arts (WAPA). Besides, the "Nairi" quartet created by him has been named “Best Project of the Year.”

Clarinet player Sevada Shhoyan came 1st in “Prague Stars 2016,” a prestigious international art festival and competition, which brought together 300 participants from different countries. He performed two works - “Puttin' on the Ritz” by Irving Berlin and “Petite Fleur” by Sidney Bechet in the pop and jazz category.

The professional jury praised the musician’s high level of performance and invited him to join the jury during the next festival.

Sevada Shhoyan has been engaged in pedagogical activity at the ASPU for 19 years. He created a saxophone quartet and a clarinet quartet composed of ASPU students, as well as “Arev” (Sun) orchestra of folk instruments. Recently, “Arev” won Grand Prix at an international contest-festival.

The student ensembles under the direction of the Associate Professor have participated in various international competitions and concerts. The saxophone quartet participated in the competition dedicated to Komitas Vardapet organized by the Ministry of Diaspora in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture. The quartet received Letters of Appreciation for its good performance. The works of Komitas are also included in the repertoire of the "Nairi" clarinet quartet which always captures audiences with new interpretations and approaches to Komitas songs.

Sevada Shhoyan also works as a clarinet and saxophone player in the orchestra of the Armenian National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet named after Alexander Spendiaryan, as a solo clarinet player at the Pop-Symphonic Orchestra of Public Television and Radio. He also gives clarinet and saxophone lessons at the Conservatory and ASPU.

“We have talented students who often replace me at work [in the orchestras]. It is the best practice for them. Recently, Arsen Hajyan, a fourth-year student of the University, performed as a soloist with the Chamber Orchestra of Armenia. The ensemble made up by ASPU students also performed well with the Symphonic Orchestra of the National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet named after Al. Spendiaryan. Principal Conductor of the Orchestra Karen Durgaryan expressed words of appreciation and admiration towards the administration of the ASPU Chair of Music for applying modern teaching methods in practice. He invited the musicians of the University to participate jointly in concerts which is a great honour and responsibility for us,” Sevada Shhoyan said adding that it was also a great experience for them which the students would use later in their work.

The Associate Professor is proud that his students can already work with professional orchestras, demonstrating their skills and high level of performance. They already perform in orchestras of the RA Armed Forces as soloists and conductors, displaying their high professional skills.