Michael Ashjian: Lebanese-Armenian pianist and composer
Showing musical talent on his melodica, Michael Ari Ashjian at the age of eight is encouraged to start private piano lessons, by his music and dance enthusiast parents.
After high school he pursues his Master of Arts at The State Conservatory in The Name of Komidas in Yerevan- Republic of Armenia; class of Mrs. Armine Mokatsian, plus two years of Specialization in Performing Piano, under Professor Ivan Meliksetian; also following some part time composition courses.
After long series of classical concerts back in Beirut, in 2009 in a concert he called “Miniatures”, he finally materializes his dream of performing his own compositions.
Under the patronage of The Argentinean Embassy in Lebanon and accompanied again by his colleagues from The Lebanese National Higher Conservatory of Music, in 2010 he organizes a “Live Tango Concert-Show”, adding beautiful Lebanese tango dancers on UNESCO Palace’s stage, with the musicians’ live performance.
On demand of his friends and fans, in 2011 he decides to fulfill another dream, recording “Tangomania” his first CD in Buenos Aires, with today’s tango stars of Argentina: Eva Wolff/Bandoneon, Pablo Agri/Violin, Jorge Perez Tedesco/Violoncello, Esteban Fallabella/Guitar, Daniel Falasca/Contra-bass and many more…
On 30th March 2012, he launches his CD with a signing night at UNESCO Palace in Beirut and on 7th June he performs his new CD with his Lebanese colleagues at DRM in Hamra-Beirut.
On 5th June 2013, he performs at AUB a program from The Golden Ages of Argentinean Tango, with soprano Sevan Habib and a tango couple, Jana Younes and Nadim Choueiry. Concert organized by Instituto Cervantes in Beirut.
On 6th May 2014, a concert at amphitheater P.Y.Aboukhater titled “Michael Ashjian’s Original Compositions, performed by Family of Colleagues from The Lebanese National Higher Conservatory of Music”, where 14 talented colleagues participated.
On 17th July 2014, first concert at Shoushi’s Art Museum in Artsakh-Armenia, under the patronage of Artsakh’s Ministry of Youth and Culture.
Michael Ashjian’s dream like any composer is to touch as many hearts as possible with his music and to send his love and compassion to Mankind and to the whole world!
