HRANT BAGRAZYAN
Described by the Armenian Weekly as a “technical wizard” and a pianist of “rich emotions”, an award-winning pianist Hrant Bagrazyan explores repertoire ranging from the Baroque era to our modern times.
Being a native of Armenia, Mr. Bagrazyan also actively champions music of Armenian composers.
Hrant Bagrazyan has performed in Armenia, Belgium, Poland and the United States. Living in the US since 2009, Hrant has made notable appearances on the American classical stage which included his orchestra debut as a soloist with Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra at the 3,000-seat Hawkins Centennial Chapel in 2014 and a solo recital debut at Carnegie Hall in 2018.
Dr. Bagrazyan has also performed with other acclaimed orchestras such as Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra, Armenian State Symphony Orchestra and Heights Chamber Orchestra.
Dr. Bagrazyan has won top awards in many international competitions, including 3rd Prize in Aram Khachaturian International Piano Competition (2007, Yerevan, Armenia), 1st Prize in Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra International Young Artist Competition (2014, Bourbonnais, IL) and 1st Prize in San Jose International Piano Competition (2015, San Jose, CA). In October 2016, Hrant won the Outstanding Performance Award at NTD International Piano Competition in New York. Dr. Bagrazyan has participated in music festivals, most notably as a guest performer at the gala concert of Sergei Babayan International Academy in 2013.
Dr. Bagrazyan's 2022-23 concert season concluded with a tour in China where he performed recitals in Guangzhou (Southern China Normal University), Changsha (Steinway Hall) and Wuhan (Central China Normal University and Yamaha Hall). He also taught masterclasses in Xinghai Conservatory of Music in Guangzhou as well as an online masterclass at the Yamaha Hall in Wuhan.
In addition to his solo career, Dr. Bagrazyan is also an active chamber musician. He has been actively collaborating with the acclaimed Armenian American cellist Suren Bagratuni. Their collaboration includes a recent release of a double album titled “Songs of My Childhood” which was described by Blue Griffin Records as “...beautiful, charming, virtuosic, exciting”. Their new CD of Brahms' Cello Sonatas is planned to release in May 2024.
Dr. Bagrazyan has also served as a member of the Jury for the MTNA-South Carolina State Piano Competition.
Having studied with world famous mentors such as Igor Yavryan, Sergei Babayan, HaeSun Paik and Margarita Shevchenko, Hrant Bagrazyan has earned his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Michigan State University College of Music, Master of Music, Artist Diploma and Professional Studies degrees from Cleveland Institute of Music, and the Bachelor degree from Yerevan State Conservatory. Dr. Bagrazyan is currently a piano faculty member at Charleston Southern University (Charleston, SC).