-
Vardan Gasparyan, cello
Originally from Yerevan, Armenia, cellist Vardan Gasparyan has appeared as a soloist, chamber, and orchestral musician throughout Armenia, United States, Canada, Germany, and China. He has received high praise and performed for sold-out audiences at venues including Armenian National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet’s Alexander Spendiaryan Opera and Ballet National Theatre, Carnegie Hall, Hollywood Bowl, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Glenn Gould Studio at Canadian Broadcasting Centre, and Microsoft Theater (formerly Nokia Theater.) Born into a musical family, Gasparyan began studying cello at the age of six. At 16 he made his debut with the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra. Gasparyan received his Bachelor degree in Cello Performance from Komitas State Conservatory of Yerevan, studying with renowned cellist and conductor Aram Talalyan. Currently he holds a Performance Diploma and a Master of Music
Degree from the Colburn Conservatory of Music, where he studied with Ronald Leonard. He is a prizewinner of notable competitions including Schmidbauer International Young Artist Competition, Emin Khachaturian Young Artists Competition, Carmel Music Society’s Instrumental Competition, and was the recipient of the Fine Arts Club of Pasadena’s Performing Arts Prize.
Gasparyan’s performances have been broadcasted on Armenian Public Radio, Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s Sundays Live, and 98.7WFMT in Chicago. He has appeared at several music festivals and concert series, including the first Armenian National Cello Festival, Piatigorsky International Cello Festival, Kneisel Hall Chamber Music Festival, Laguna Beach Music Festival, and Dilijan Chamber Music Series.
As an avid chamber and orchestral musician, Gasparyan has collaborated and performed with acclaimed musicians such as Ronald Leonard, Paul Coletti, Arnold Steinhardt, Ani and Ida Kavafian among many others. He has been privileged to work with some of the world’s most distinguished conductors such as Zubin Mehta, Gustavo Dudamel, Nicholas McGegan, James Conlon, and Sir Neville Marriner. Classically trained but a versatile performer, he has also worked with renowned artists such as Hans Zimmer, Stevie Wonder, Pharrell Williams, Pink Martini, Steve Martin and many others.
As a dedicated educator, he is currently on faculty at the Colburn Community School of Performing Arts. Gasparyan works with students at every level and age, and tailors lessons to fit the needs and goals of each student. He has been teaching beginning to advanced level students since 2012, frequently showcasing them in National and International competitions and Music Festivals.
Outreach performances include community-serving projects with the non-profit Street Symphony and Bach in the Subways. Since 2020 he also serves as a board member for the Los Angeles Violoncello Society.
Currently Gasparyan frequently performs with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Pasadena Symphony. He continues to be involved in the competitive field of recording for the television and film industries, performing as a soloist, chamber musician, and is actively engaged in collaborating with contemporary composers.