KARAPETIAN RECORDS ARMENIAN CHILDREN’S CD

Belmont Citizen-Herald, MA
May 18 2006

Belmont resident Noune Karapetian has ventured out of her classical
field to make a children’s CD.

The Armenian-American soprano, songwriter and music educator has
created a compilation of children’s songs that include both traditional
Armenian children’s songs as well as new songs created by Noune.

“I do keep a busy performing schedule as a classical singer, performing
with Granite State Opera, Opera Providence, New Bedford Choral Society,
singing classical repertoire,” she said. “It’s refreshing and exciting
to create something new for our children.

Having two children of my own, I know how important this work is and
I am having so much fun doing it.”

Karapetian has spent her entire adult life as a music educator and
performer. A cum laude graduate of Komitas Conservatory in Armenia
majoring in voice, she has also studied child psychology for two
years at the Pedagogical Institute in Armenia. Since moving to the
United States, she has appeared frequently in various concert venues
and operas and also was a finalist in a number of major competitions
including the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, New
England division.

She has been teaching early childhood music classes along with piano
and voice for 14 years. She is the author of an Armenian music and
movement program called “Yerajisht Manouk.”

Karapetian feels that the success of this CD comes from her knowledge
of child development.

“A lot of what I do comes from a child’s perspective,” she said.

“Being a parent, of course, helps as well. I think about what the
songs should convey and the language I use, the range of the songs,
how each song can develop the child’s mental and physical capabilities
and I like to think I know how to write pretty catchy tunes. I give
a lot of thought to what is appropriate for children’s music. The
arranger Gegham Margarian did an incredible job, making each song
sound different and fun.”

The collection includes Armenian children’s folk songs. “I have done
some redesigning, like taking a children’s folk song and changing the
words a little to appeal to today’s child, making it more educational,
or taking a traditional Armenian rhyme and putting it together with
another unrelated folk tune. It sounds so natural that people hearing
it think that’s how it used to be,” she said.

She added, “I created this CD because of my passion for Armenian
music and language, my burning desire to give the children high
quality music and learning experiences.”

To celebrate the release of the CD, Karapetian and her friends Krko
the Frog, Mlavik the Cat, and others will perform on Sunday, June
25 at 3 p.m. at the Arsenal Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal St.,
Watertown. Tickets are $18 and $23 in advance; and $23 and $28 at
the door.

To purchase concert tickets or CDs, visit , or
call 617-733-7162.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress