Grigori Balasanyan

Grigori BalasanyanFacebook-Youtube-is a young Armenian composer. Born (June 22,2004) and raised in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, BalasanyanInstagram-/ moved to the USA in 2020. He has graduated from the Yerevan Specialised Music School named after Alexander Spendiaryan. His first major work (composed at the age of 15) was "Bald Hedgehog" ballet Bald Hegdehog- based on fairy tail written by First Lady of Armenia|the first lady of Armenia Mrs. Nouneh Sarkissian. The ballet will premiere in Armenia in 2021. The first lady of Armenia has watched the final rehearsal in April as reported by the official website of the President of Armeniawww.president.am- and other media sources. 
It was followed by the second ballet (composed at the age of 16) based on the story "Me and Him" by an Armenian writer Nar-Dos and "The First Piano Concerto" dedicated to the memory of victims of 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war. His other compositions include the "Melody", "Alice in Wonderland" modern ballet, Suite for Chamber Orchestra "Space", Composition for Jazz Quintet "Piece of Saryan". Balasanyan is considered one of the top 10 young Armenian Composers of Edward Mirzoyan Music Festival as rated by the Composers Union of Armenia.
== Biography ==
Grigori Balasanyan Interview with tert.am- was born on June 22, 2004 in the city of Yerevan, Armenia. He is the grandson of well-known scientist Sergey Balasanyan. His father Yuri Balasanyan was born in Yerevan in February 5, 1979 and moved to the USA in 2020. His Mother was born on October 20, 1980 in Yerevan and moved to the USA in 2020. 
=== Education ===
G.Balasanyanhyeforum.am- graduated from Yerevan Middle School No.2 after Kh. Abovyan in 2019. Attended c:Category:Sayat_Nova_school_of_music,_Yerevan|Sayat-Nova School of Music in 2010-2014. In 2015 entered the Yerevan Specialised Music School named after Alexander Spendiaryan and graduated from class of piano and composition in 2018. Attended Tumo Center for Creative Technologies in 2016-2018. He was the pianist of the Jazz Big Band of the Yerevan Specialised Music School named after Alexander Spendiaryan from 2018-2020. Currently G.Balasanyan is Student in Burbank High School, California. 
Balasanyan was a keyboard player in "Dice Band" in 2019-2020. 
=== Teachers ===
Balasanyan's career was largely influenced by Honoured Artist of the Republic of Armenia Naira Gurdjinyan, professor of the Yerevan State Conservatory Suren Zakarian, Director of the Yerevan Specialised Music School named after Alexander Spendiaryan Marina Vardanyan, professor of Yerevan Specialised Music School Nane Misakyan, professor of Yerevan State Conservatory, jazzman, composer David Geodakyan.
== Music ==
To this date Grigori Balasanyan has released two instrumental music albums, composed two ballets, piano concerto, composition for chamber orchestra, other compositions for chamber ensemble, jazz compositions for bands, music for cartoons, and short film scores. 
===Alice in Wonderland===
Alice in Wonderland modern ballet was composed in 2016 by Grigori Balasanyan (at the age of 12) and arranged by Timpanist of Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra Armenak Grigoryan. It was staged in June 24, 2018 in the Stanislavski Russian Drama Theatre in Yerevan. Choreographer Ellen Grigoryan, director Garnik Makaryan.
===Bald Hedgehog===
Bald Hedgehog is a two-act ballet piece with music by Grigori Balasanyan. The ballet is based on fairy tail written by the first lady of Armenia Mrs. Nouneh Sarkissian. The ballet was originally composed in Yerevan (2018-2019) and was recorded by the Armenian State Symphonic Orchestra, conductor Sergey Smbatyan], choreography by professor of Yerevan State Choreographic College, Vahe Babajanyan. Costumes design is made by Aigana Gali (London).
The idea to create a ballet came from Mrs. Nouneh Sarkissian. It will premiere in Yerevan in 2021.
===Recents works===
In 2022, Balasan joined the Berklee College of Music community, and has since premiered 11 concert pieces at the Boston Conservatory. Notable performances include his string quintet premiered during a masterclass by violinist Judith Eissenberg and cellist Rhonda Rider, as well as "Purgatorio," written for a symphonic orchestra, and "Fallen," composed for a string orchestra.
On October 15, 2023, Balasanyan's first opera, Silent Tears, premiered its first act in Boston, Massachusetts, performed by the Horizon Ensemble. In 2024, he premiered Garni, a pierrot ensemble piece performed by Sound Icon Ensemble.
On March 13, 2024, Balasanyan premiered his Transcendence in Turmoil: String Quartet No. 2 at Carnegie Hall. This three-movement composition reflects his personal experiences of adapting to life in America amidst political and social challenges in Armenia. The concert also featured his performances of Farewell Yerevan, inspired by Armenian folklore, and Armenian Rhapsody, which evokes the landscapes and cultural heritage of his homeland. 
== Awards ==
In 2015, he participated in the 18th International Competition for Young Composers in Novosibirsk, Russia, and took first place with his composition "Melody".
In 2015, at the VII International Competition-Festival of Musicians-Performers "Renaissance" held in Gyumri, he was awarded the title of 1st class laureate in his age group for the same work.
In May 2015, he participated in the "2nd Competition for Young Composers after Edward Mirzoyan" with his work "Never Again", which is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. He was awarded a diploma of the Composers' Union of Armenia. 
In 2017, he participated in the 39th Annual Review Festival of Young Authors, dedicated to the 114th anniversary of the great composer Aram Khachaturian, and received a Certificate of Merit for his work "Forest Voices".
In April 2017, he participated in the IX International Competition-Festival "Renaissance" and was awarded the title of 1st class laureate, in the author's song category for his work "Voices of the Sea".
In 2018, he participated in the 40th annual review-festival of young authors and received
Certificate for his work "Yerevan".
On September 15, 2018, he was awarded the 1st prize in the "Vahe & Lucie" Vahe & Lucie interview - annual competition in Music category for his "Mad Tea Party" and "Tulgey Woods" compositions.
Category: 2004 births
Category: Armenian composers