Sofya Melikyan Piano   

Sofya Melikyan was born in Yerevan, Armenia in 1978, and began her music studies at the age of 5 at the Tchaikovksy Specialized Music School - studying piano with Anahit Shajbazyan. In 1994, Sofya moved to Spain, where she continued her studies at the Royal Conservatory of Madrid, working with pianist Joaquin Soriano. Upon graduating with honors in 1999, Sofya worked privately with Galina Egiazarova in Madrid and Brigitte Engerer in Paris. In 2001, she began post-graduate study at the Ecole Normale in Paris, where she studied with Ramzi Yassa, and received the Diplome Superieure d'Exécution in 2003. Beyond her formal training, Sofya has also taken Master Classes with such pianists as Vitali Margulis, John O'Connor, Bella Davidovich, and Solomon Mikowsky.

Among the awards Sofya has earned thus far include First Prize at the "Marisa Montiel" 16th International Piano Competition in Linares, Spain (1997), First Prize at the 13th International Piano Competition in Ibiza, Spain (1999), and First Prize for Music Interpretation awarded by the "Amigos del Colegio de España" Association of Paris (2003).

Sofya has performed as a soloist with numerous orchestras in Armenia, Spain, and elsewhere in Europe - including the Armenian National Symphony Orchestra, the Radio and Television Symphony Orchestra of Spain, and the "New Europe" Chamber Orchestra. She has performed in several international festivals and concert halls, including the BEMUS International Music Fesival (Belgrade, Serbia), the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall in Moscow, the "Auditorio Nacional" of Madrid, National Orchestra Hall in Dublin, the "Historischen Kaufhaus" Concert Hall in Freiberg, Germany, and the "Alfred Corton" Concert Hall in Paris, among others. In addition to her solo activities, Sofya performs frequently with chamber and contemporary music ensembles.

She has made several live CD recordings for radio broadcasts in Armenia, Spain, France, and the US, as well as several studio recordings - some of which are featured here at the Classical Archives. Her repertory is quite broad, ranging from Baroque to Contemporary, including several Armenian composers - including Khatchaturian, Arutunian, and Babadjanian. We are very pleased to feature this talented young musician.