Lecturer and violinist Christine Kharazian will give an overview of the Armenian folk, classical, and contemporary genres that influence the music of composer and founder of the Naghash Ensemble John Hodian. A talented and in-demand musician in her own right, Kharazian will invite you to go deeper into the evening’s performance through salient musical samples and a question-and-answer session.
This event is part of Strathmore’s Windows series of performances and accompanying programs. Learn more
Meet the Lecturer
Christine Kharazian
Christine Kharazian is an accomplished concert violinist and a graduate of the Komitas State Conservatory and the Tchaikovsky Advanced School of Music in Yerevan. She studied violin with Professor Edward Dayan, a pupil of David Oistrakh. Her early performance experience includes 5 years with the Armenian National Opera's Symphony as a member of the first violins, and with the Sharakan Ensemble of Ancient and Medieval Music of Armenian TV and Radio as a soloist.
As a soloist, Christine has performed in concerts at the Kennedy Center, Strathmore, Dumbarton House, the Gallery at The Ellipse, and various embassies in Washington, among other venues. A versatile performer who enjoys exploring many musical genres from jazz manouche to Brazilian choro, she plays with various bands in the area, including Orchester Praževica. Christine is also the featured violinist of Swansong.
An alumna of the Inspired Teaching Institute, Christine teaches at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts and the Sidwell Friends School and is a teaching artist with Washington Performing Arts. She enjoys experimenting with the merging of art forms, such as theater and music. Christine was cast as the Wind in Quotidian Theatre Company’s 2015 production of Anton Chekhov’s A Little Trick, and later, in the 2016 production of Chekhov’s The Lady with the Little Dog. In her adaptation of Chekhov’s short story, director Stephanie Mumford devised a part with Kharazian in mind: the violin-playing wife of Dmitry Gurov. Christine's original composition, Valse Astolfi, won the 2nd prize of the 2021 Unsigned Only competition. One of Christine’s biggest musical influences is her sister, pianist and composer Sofi Mikayelyan.