Garo Avessian

 Garo Avessian is a conductor and composer of mostly chamber works that have been performed in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Mr. Avessian studied piano from 1992 – 2000, as well as composition, harmony, theories, and orchestration in Beirut.

At Yerevan State Conservatory named after Gomidas, he studied Composition with Ashautte Zohrabian from 2001 – 2006 and Symphonic & Opera Conducting with Aram Gharabekyan from 2003 – 2007 and earned a Master’s Degree in both professions. His Honors include Third Prize in Lazarus Saryan Composition Competition in Yerevan 2004, for “Three Kuchak Hayren” published by Da Vinci Publishing. In 2005, received Presidential Award for recognition as the healthiest person in Armenia, hence gifted Acting in Gor Vardanian’s Film “Destiny”. Since 2008 he was assigned by Dr. Walid Gholmieh, to conduct the Lebanese Philharmonic Orchestra. Thus, his debut with LPO in October 2008 received overwhelming critical acclaim from the audience and the press. In collaboration with the Australian Embassy in February 2013, Garo Avessian conducted the Lebanese Philharmonic Orchestra in participation with the International Flautist Ana De La Vega playing Myslivecek Flute Concerto in Beirut for the second time in history after its premiere in London.

In January 2014 Avessian was selected and participated in an International Conducting Masterclass with Donald Schleicher (Professor at Illinois State University) and Russell Miller (Professor at Eastman
School of Music) in Chicago. In June 2016, in collaboration with the Uruguayan Embassy, Avessian adapted the Uruguayan tangos with LPO for the first time in the land of the cedars. In July 2017 Mr. Avessian conducted the Opening Concert of the International Tyre Festival with composer Jamal Bou Hosn.

In August 2018, Avessian became the First & Grand Prize Winner of the 14th Danube International Conducting Masterclass and Competition in Budapest – Hungary. In August 2019, he was selected to participate in the International Conducting Master Class with Achim Holub & London Classical Soloists, at St. George’s Church - Campden Hill, West London. Hence, awarded a Diploma of “Special Commendation”. Currently is writing his Doctoral Thesis at The National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia under the supervision of Professor, Dr. Anna Astryan about the Lebanese Armenian composer Boghos Gillian. Besides his continuous concerts with the Lebanese Philharmonic Orchestra Avessian conducted the premiere of the First Lebanese Arabic Oratorio from “Supper to Resurrection” in April 2022. He has also collaborated with other orchestras abroad.

In 2019 November Avessian conducted the Danube Symphony Orchestra in Budapest, in March 2021 & February 2022 the Syrian National Symphony Orchestra in Damascus, in June 2022 the National Chamber Orchestra of Armenia in Yerevan, and the Sibiu State Philharmonic Orchestra at the closing concert of the festival “Classics for Pleasure” organized by UNESCO and Elite Art Club, in Sibiu - Romania.