Scholarship | Edward Hosharian Foundation

Edward Hosharian Memorial Scholarship

Edward Hosharian Foundation Scholarship 2027

Scholarship applications for the Fall 2027 academic year are open from September 1, 2026 to February 26, 2027.

One scholarship of $5,000 will be awarded.

Who can apply

Armenian descent
Full-time student at an Accredited 4-year College or University in the United States of America (Community Colleges do not qualify)
Entering sophomore status or above
Major in music performance or composition
Demonstrated financial need

What to send

Completed application
Personal Statement
Official Transcripts (mailed directly by institution)
Two letters of recommendation from instructors or advisors (emailed or mailed directly from instructors/advisors)
Performance majors – YouTube link of a performance or self-made video
Composition majors – Email two scores of compositions (PDFs) along with recordings or mockups of the scores (MP3s or links only)

Note: Official transcripts must be mailed directly by the institution and letters of recommendation must be e-mailed or mailed directly by instructor/advisors

Apply now

Arno Melkonyan (2026)

Arno Melkonyan is a Boston-based Armenian composer, pianist, and guitarist whose music blends Late Romantic lyricism, jazz-fusion harmony, and Armenian folk and sacred traditions. A composition and game-scoring student at Berklee College of Music, he writes for chamber and orchestral ensembles and performs internationally. His work explores Armenian heritage through contemporary sound, with recent highlights including the premiere of his Piano Concertino Anahit and a Carnegie Hall appearance featuring his chamber works and In Memory of Artsakh. At Berklee, he serves as Co-President of the Society of Composers and Treasurer of the Armenian Student Association.

Alisa Gukasian (Scholarship Winner) (2025)

Alisa Roberta Gukasian (she/her) is a classical violinist and educator based in Southern California, currently pursuing a Master of Music at UCLA. A recipient of the VEM Fellowship, she studies the kamancha and focuses on Armenian folk music. Originally from Moscow, Alisa studied at the Colburn School and graduated with honors from CSUN, where she also became the first Whitsett Smithsonian Fellow. Passionate about teaching, Alisa aims to combine performance, scholarship, and education in her future career.

Martin Shahbazyan (Scholarship Honoree) (2025)

Martin Shahbazyan (b. 1999, Yerevan, Armenia) is a pianist pursuing an Artist Diploma at Texas Christian University. A prizewinner at several international competitions, including the Grand Prix at Harmonium Onlineplus IMC (2020) and first prize at the Franz Liszt Center International Piano Competition (2022), he has performed globally and premiered works by Armenian composers. Martin is also a pianist, singer, and composer in a prog/rock folk trio and has composed for theater, including the 2017 production Hovnan.

Karl Vardanyan (2024)

Karl Vardanyan is a classically trained guitarist and composer, who, while attending USC, blends traditional Armenian music with classical elements through his innovative ensemble, ‘Haykar,’ and excels in performance, education, and music production.

Grigori Balasanyan (2023)

Grigori is an international winning composer known for blending Armenian culture with contemporary styles in his music.

Ani Sinanyan (2022)

Ani Sinanyan, a talented violinist who began her journey at age 6, has performed at Carnegie Weill Recital Hall, served as principal second violin at the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Institution, and is currently pursuing her Master's degree at the Cleveland Institute of Music while performing with Trio SynThesis.

Arin Sarkissian (2020)

Toronto-born Arin Sarkissian, the Principal Flutist of the Victoria Symphony, has won numerous prestigious awards, performed internationally, and been featured in CBC’s “30 hot Canadian classical musicians under 30,” while holding degrees from Rice University and The Colburn School.

Anna Gasanova (2019)

Anna Gasanova is a versatile violist with a rich background in performance and education, having studied at the Eastman School of Music and served as principal violist for the Eastman Philharmonia. She has performed with several prominent orchestras, including the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, and is passionate about both chamber music and contemporary compositions.

Haig Hovsepian (2018)

Armenian-American violinist Haig Hovsepian, recognized by Ilya Kaler, blends classical training, Armenian heritage, and American jazz, having performed internationally at prestigious venues and won numerous competitions, including the Max Reger Ambassador prize at New England Conservatory.

Saro Babikian (2017)

Saro Babikian is a distinguished Los Angeles-based classical guitarist and educator, known for his exceptional performances at prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall and his dedication to teaching through his Glendale-based studio, where he mentors award-winning students. Fluent in Arabic, Armenian, and English, Saro continues to inspire through his contributions to classical guitar performance and education.

Tigran Arakelyan (2014)

Tigran Arakelyan, Music Director of the Northwest Mahler Festival and Port Townsend Symphony, and Executive Director of Music Works Northwest, is a Yamaha Music 40 under 40 honoree with a Doctor of Musical Arts in conducting from the University of Washington, known for conducting premieres and debuting at Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Kirstin (Hagopian) Westin (2011)

Kirstin Weston, a pianist with degrees from UCLA and UCI, has performed extensively in Southern California, achieved notable competition successes, co-founded The Weston Duo, and founded KW Music Studios, offering piano instruction and managing a team of instructors.

Garineh Avakian (2010)

Dr. Garineh Avakian, a tenured Associate Professor of Voice and Choral Music at Pierce College, holds advanced degrees from USC Thornton School of Music and San Francisco Conservatory, serves as the Opera Voice Director at the Los Angeles County High School for the Performing Arts, and performs regularly as a soloist in the Los Angeles area.

Scholarship Information