World musician is one of a kind
Farmington chamber leader is one of a few Armenian performers in U.S. to
play genre
The Detroit News (Detroit, Michigan)
August 11, 2005
By Jennifer Youssef
FARMINGTON HILLS, MI — Haunting music filled the home of Ara Topouzian
as he gently pulled the strings of the kanun, a 76-stringed Middle
Eastern dulcimer-like instrument perched on his lap.
When Topouzian of Bloomfield Township isn’t fulfilling his duties as
president of the Farmington/Farmington Hills Chamber of Commerce, he can
be found playing an array of Middle Eastern instruments such as the
kanun at ethnic festivals and events throughout the state such as the
upcoming Experience Petra ancient Middle Eastern exhibit at Calvin
College in Grand Rapids next week and the Concert of Colors in Detroit
last month.
Although he is of Armenian descent, Topouzian, 35, says playing the
instruments allows him to stay connected to his roots and gives him an
opportunity to entertain and educate others about Middle Eastern history
through music.
The interest in music from that part of the world has increased, he
said, and there has been a growing demand for him to perform at Arabic,
Armenian, American and Greek weddings, festivals and events.
“What’s kind of nice is that everybody likes this,” said Topouzian, who
grew up listing to Arabic songs and music though nobody else in his
family took an interest in it.
“It’s almost become mainstream.”
Topouzian began playing Middle Eastern instruments 15 years ago and is
one of the only Armenian musicians in the country to perform Middle
Eastern music, he said.
He’s had many opportunities to play for audiences — up to 40 each year
— but the one that sticks out most in Topouzian’s mind is when he
played at Calvin College for Prince Firas Raad, son of the lord
chamberlain to His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan in April.
“I just love the sound of it,” said Topouzian, who developed his own
record label American Recording Productions and has produced 45 world
music albums, including 15 of his own.
“It’s a form of relaxation and I can play it for hours,” he said.
Topouzian also performed at this year’s Concert of Colors, Metro
Detroit’s diversity music festival at Chene Park in July.
The three-day festival was presented in part by the Arab Community
Center for Economic and Social Services in Dearborn.
“He’s a great artist,” said Steve Heath, a booking agent for SRO
Artists, based in Middleton, Wis., and a former ACCESS employee who
asked Topouzian to play at the Concert of Colors. “We are seeing more
interest in Middle Eastern music partly because of the political climate
right now.
“It’s growing,” Heath said of world music, “but it’s not commercialized
the way pop music is. We’re happy to see more live venues for world music.”
World music is becoming more popular, but Metro Detroiters have had
access to that genre for more than 30 years through Detroit’s public
radio station WDET 101.9 FM, said Judy Adams, director of the Judy Adams
Program, which airs weekdays and features local artists.
“Our world is getting smaller and smaller,” Adams said.
“People can get on the Internet and listen to music from thousands of
miles away. People have found that world music is enjoyable and infectious.”
For Topouzian, playing his instruments is beneficial in many ways,
including providing a reminder of his ancestry.
“I think so many people lose their ethnicity and spend a lifetime trying
to get it back,” Topouzian said. “The only way for me to do it is to
play it.”
Photo Caption [Ankur Dholakia / The Detroit News] — “Ara Topouzian
plays the kanun, a Middle Eastern instrument. He says playing the
instruments gives him an opportunity to educate others.”
Upcoming shows by Ara Topouzian:
Aug. 13: Experience Petra, a comprehensive exhibition on the ancient
Middle Eastern city of Petra at Calvin College in Grand Rapids
Sept. 19: Farmington Public Library main branch
Sept. 24: World Music at the Civic, Civic Theater, Farmington