Biography:

Vardan Ovsepyan is an Armenian pianist and composer. He received higher education at Komitas Yerevan State Conservatory, Estonian Academy of Music, Helsinki Jazz Conservatory and Berklee College of Music.

From an early age, he was fascinated by the fusion of Western classical music and jazz, and constantly sought unique ways to incorporate these musical crossovers into his compositions and improvisations. As a result, in 2005 A small chamber ensemble "VOCE" was formed, which focuses on cinematic approaches to musical storytelling.

Over many years V. Ovsepyan also developed a remarkable world of angular geometry due to his experience in chess and

with his interest in minimalism and modern architecture, which led to the publication of two books: Mirror Exercises (2011) and Permutation Studies (2020).

Another important reality is the creation of the "Fractal Limit" duet with Tatiana Para, which has gained wide international recognition. That project demonstrates Vardan's remarkable technical mastery and skill in creating polyphonic textures. In addition to VOCE and Fractal Limit, Ovsepyan has collaborated with artists such as Mick Goodrick, Peter Erskine, Jerry Bergonzi, Tim Miller, Ben Monder, David Binney and has released over 20 albums, including including as a lead performer.

Recent honors include the first prize awarded to Fractal Limit

"Achava Jazz Award" (Erfurt, Germany, 2017), Chamber Music

the American Grant for the "New Jazz Works" program (New York, USA, 2017), funded by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.

Vardan Ovsepyan now lives in Los Angeles and teaches at the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts).

"The rose brings its own sound and ingredients... I have never heard another musician quite like him in terms of his understanding of harmony and the impact of melody. I suppose he will cause a real sensation," - Peter Erskine.

"Having had the opportunity to play (and record) with him, all I can say is that he is a whole host of qualities," Mick Goodrick.

EDUCATION

1997-2000: Berklee College of Music (Boston, Massachusetts)

Specialization: Piano Performance

1995-1997: Helsinki Jazz Conservatory (Helsinki, Finland)

Specialization: Piano Performance

1994-1995: Estonian Academy of Music (Tallinn, Estonia)

A course in modern classical composition

1992-1994: Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory (Yerevan, Armenia)

Specialization: Classical Composition

1990-1992: Music School named after Romanos Melikyan (Yerevan, Armenia)

Specialization: Music Theory

1982-1989 music school (Yerevan, Armenia)

Major: Piano and Music Theory

TEACHING

2022 - present: California Institute of the Arts (Los Angeles, California, USA)

Composition, improvisation, harmony, ensemble

May 2023: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

Composition master class

2023, May: California State Polytechnic University (Cal Poly Pomona, Pomona, California, USA)

Composition and improvisation master class

November 2014: Berklee College of Music (Boston, Massachusetts, USA)

Composition master class for professional composition department

November 2014: Berklee College of Music (Boston, Massachusetts, USA)

Workshop on "The Art of Duet" for the vocal department

November 2014: Cambridge School of Weston (Weston, Massachusetts, USA)

Composition master class

October 2014: Beijing Academy of Contemporary Music (Beijing, China)

Small ensemble performing arts skills (Peter Erskine clinics), private jazz piano and composition lessons

2014, Summer: Sacheon International Jazz Workshop (South Korea)

Lectures on Finding Your Own Voice, Private Jazz Piano and Composition Lessons, Small Ensemble Performing Arts Skills

Fall 2010: Suarnabhumi Academy of Music (Chennai, India)

Improvisation and composition lessons, small ensemble performing arts skills

2000-2009: "The Musical Suite" music school (Newburyport, Massachusetts, USA)

Private classical and jazz piano lessons, small ensemble performing arts skills

2000-2008: Maine Jazz Camp (Farmington, Maine, USA)

Improvisation and theory lessons, small ensemble performing arts skills

2004-2008: Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival (Fairbanks, Alaska, USA)

Private lessons in jazz piano composition, small ensemble performing arts skills

2006-07, 2007-08, 2014-15 academic years: Susquehanna University (Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, USA)

Improvisation and theory lessons, small ensemble performing arts skills

2007-08 academic year: Bucknell University (Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, USA)

Imp