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[MosJan]

Vardan Ovsepian is an Armenia-born pianist/composer whose studies include Yerevan State Conservatory, Estonian Music Academy, Helsinki Jazz Conservatory, and Berklee College of Music. Performs solo as well as with artists such as Mick Goodrick, Peter Erskine and Jerry Bergonzi. In addition to teaching at The Musical Suite in Newburyport, MA, performed and taught master classes at Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival, Maine Jazz Camp (ME), Towson University (MD), Susquehanna University (PA), Bucknell University (PA), Wheeler School (RI), Estonian Music Academy (Tallinn, Estonia), Swarnabhoomi Academy of Music (Chennai, India), CalArts (CA).

Vardan has released 4 CDs with “Fresh Sound New Talent” label, plus independent releases of VOCE - Vardan Ovsepian Chamber Ensemble (2006 and 2013). Recent works include a publication of a book “Mirror Exercises”, and a release of Peter Erskine New Trio album “Joy Luck”.

[MosJan]

Curriculum Vitae   

   

Education

1997-2000 Berklee College of Music - Boston, MA

Professional Diploma

Major in Piano Performance

1995-1997 Helsinki Jazz Conservatory - Helsinki, Finland

Major in Piano Performance

 

1994-1995 Estonian Music Academy - Tallinn, Estonia

Classes in Contemporary Classical Composition

1992-1994 Yerevan State Conservatory - Yerevan, Armenia

Major in Classical Composition

 

1990-1992 Romanos Melikyan College of Music - Yerevan, Armenia

Major in Music Theory

1982-1989 Junior Music School - Yerevan, Armenia

Performance Diploma

Major in Piano Performance and Music Theory

 

Teaching

 

CalArts (substitute teaching); Los Angeles, CA (2010 – present)

Swarnabhoomi Academy of Music; Chennai, India (fall of 2010)

The Musical Suite; Newburyport, MA (2000 – 2009)

Maine Jazz Camp; Farmington, ME (2000-2008)

Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival; Fairbanks, AK (2004-2008)

Susquehanna University; Selinsgrove, PA (2006-07, 2007-08 academic years)

Bucknell University; Lewisburg, PA (2007-08 academic year)

Wheeler Jazz Camp; Providence, RI (2006, 2007)

Towson State University; Towson, MD (2004-05, 2005-06 academic years)

[MosJan]

Reviews and Articles

 

Downbeat Magazine

Review of Akunc and Sketch Book, by Greg Buium; February 2005

The Boston Globe

Preview article of solo performance at Zeitgeist Gallery (Cambridge, MA), by Bill Beuttler; February 2005

 

jazzpreview.com

Review of Akunc, by Roman St. James; January 2005

The Boston Globe

Article Beauty of Sketch Book Draws Attention to Local Pianist Ovsepian, by Bill Beuttler; March 2004

 

Keyboard Magazine

Article Mr. Goodchord Goes Keyboard, Part 2, by Mitch Haupers; January 2004

Cadence Building

Review of Sketch Book; July 2003

 

Portland Press Herald

Review of November 30, 2002 concert at the Center for Cultural Exchange (Portland ME),

by Steve Feeney; December 2002

 

Awards and Recognition

Full Berklee International Tour and Entering Student Scholarships 1997-2000

Liberace Award (merit scholarship), 1999

Edman Jazz Piano Competition in Hartford, CT (April 1998) First Prize (co-winner)

Armenian General Benevolent Union Grant, 1997-2000

 

Recordings/Publications

- Voce (Vardan Ovsepian Chamber Ensemble) – 2013

- Now - 2012

- Chromaticity – 2012

- Nocturnal Prophecy – 2011

- Peter Erskine New Trio – 2011

- “Mirror Exercises” – 2011, published by V. Ovsepian

- Voce (Vardan Ovsepian Chamber Ensemble) – 2006

 

Recordings on the Fresh Sound, New Talent label [Barcelona, Spain] include:

- Aragast (Vardan Ovsepian Quartet) - 2006

- Akunc (Vardan Ovsepian Quintet) - 2004

- Sketch Book (Vardan Ovsepian Quintet) - 2002

- Abandoned Wheel (solo piano) – 2001

 

Languages

 

Fluent in Armenian, English, and Russian

[MosJan]

http://www.vardanovsepian.com/cds.html

 

DREAMING PARIS
THEME AND VARIATIONS

Vardan Ovsepian piano/compositions

Daphne Chen violin

Tylana Renga violin

Lauren Baba viola

Miguel Atwood-Ferguson viola

Artyom Manukyan cello

Ryan McGillicuddy bass

Gavin Salmon percussion

Zach Harmon percussion

2013

 

 

 

NOW

Joon Lee - voice
Vardan Ovsepian - piano

2012

 

 

 

 

CHROMATICITY

Vardan Ovsepian
piano
Miguel Atwood-Ferguson viola
Artyom Manukyan
cello

2012

 

 

 

NOCTURNAL PROPHECY

John O'Gallagher - alto sax
Vardan Ovsepian - piano

2011

 

 

 

 

PETER ERSKINE NEW TRIO
"JOY LUCK"

Peter Erskine - drums
Vardan Ovsepian - piano
Damian Erskine - bass

2010

 

 

 

VOCE

Vardan Ovsepian - piano, Maeve Gilchrist - celtic harp,
Yulia Musayelyan - flute, Martin Haroutunian - duduk/shvi,
Megumi Sasaki - violin,  Andrew Eng - violin, Fabrizio Mazzetta - cello,
Joshua Davis - bass,
Take Toriyama - percussion

2006

 

 

 

ARAGAST

Vardan Ovsepian - piano
Tim Miller - guitar
Joshua Davis - bass
Mark Ferber - drums

2006

 

 

 

 

 

AKUNC

Vardan Ovsepian - piano, Monica Yngvesson - voice, Agnieszka Dziubak - cello,
Joshua Davis - bass,
Take Toriyama - drums

2004

 

 

 

 

SKETCH BOOK

Vardan Ovsepian - piano, Monica Yngvesson - voice, Mick Goodrick - guitar,
Joshua Davis - bass,
Take Toriyama - drums

2002

 

 

 

 

ABANDONED WHEEL

Vardan Ovsepian - solo piano

2001

[MosJan]

- Jazz pianist Vardan Ovsepian will make a rare solo appearance in San Francisco on March 8, performing from his acclaimed catalog of works, as well as some world premieres, according to the Armenian Calendar.

The Yerevan, Armenia born, Berklee College of Music educated, L.A. based "third stream" pianist has been garnering praise for the better part of a decade from the likes of Brad Mehldau, Mick Goodrick, and Peter Erskine.

This concert will take place at the Center for New Music in San Francisco, CA and will be the inaugural concert in the Pomegranate Music Bay Area Performances Series, curated by Raffi Meneshian.