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Sonya
Varoujian
Sonya Varoujian has been involved in music
from a very early age. Born to parents who both enjoy
singing and performing, her memories of childhood have
always included music. Sonya plays guitar, sings, and
composes her own music and lyrics in both Armenian and
English. Her music is an expression of the soul – a
celebration of life, love, and homeland. She believes
music is a gateway that allows people to share and
experience truth and emotions that are normally left
untapped.
During her formative years Sonya
achieved numerous awards and recognition for her singing
such as being selected in the New York All-State Choir.
She has performed in Select Ensembles as well as in
Armenian choirs under the direction of Jean Almouhian,
the maestro of the Arax Argentinian Armenian Choir.
At an early age Sonya was inspired by folk
vocalists such as Joan Baez and as a result learned to
play the guitar at the age of 15. She recorded her first
album entitled “All in All” which is a compilation of
original songs with guitar and keyboard in London in
1991. Sonya expresses her love for life, nature, and
human relationship in her music. Her songs are
courageous, honest, and earthy. She formed her first
band “Raindance” in London 1993 where she increased her
repertoire and worked with musicians from Portugal and
Thailand.
In 1998 Sonya recorded her 2nd CD
entitled “Seven” at Vapor Studios in NYC. At this time
she worked with 5 other musicians Oshin Baroyan
(producer and keyboardist), Steve Brien (Drums),
Hallgrim Bratberg (Lead guitar), Rob Zion (Bass Guitar),
and Jessica Hope (Backing Vocals). She regularly
performed in the New York City circuit in such venues as
CB’s Gallery, Mercury Lounge, The Bottom Line, and The
Elbow Room. At this time she developed a good following
and fan base and was also invited to play the Armenian
American Music Festival in Long Island where for the
first time she experimented with fusing her English band
with authentic Middle Eastern instruments and
collaborated with Michael Gostanian (Qanun), Haik
Buchakjian (Oud), and Nshan Agabian (Dumbek). She was
also invited to participate in the PBS documentary the
Armenian Americans along with celebrities such as Andre
Agasse and Eric Boghosian.
Following her success
with “Seven” Sonya then recorded her third album
entitled “Confession” in 2000 and continued to play
venues in NYC and received many positive reviews and
write ups in publications such as New York Newsday, Good
Times Magazine, Stubble, Instant Magazine, Spill
Magazine and the Armenian Reporter.
Her songs also
aired on radio stations such as WDRE 92.7 and WHRU
88.7.
In the summer of 2005, by means of the
London and Paris based DAC organisation (Diasporan
Armenian Connection), Sonya had the privilege to go as a
volunteer to a small village called Marts located in
Lori Marz in Armenia . There she worked on an animation
team which was responsible for teaching arts, crafts,
music, dance and theatre to the local village children.
This experience inspired her to begin writing songs
again. Sonya has now written her songs in Armenian for
the first time.
In April 2006 Sonya went to
Armenia and record her 4th CD entitled “Janapar” which
composes of 12 original Armenian songs. Composer Narine
Zarifyan wrote arrangements for her songs and Sonya
collaborated with some of Armenia’s most talented
musicians such as Hagop Jaghaspanyan (Guitar), Levon
Tevanyan (Shvi), Armen Grigoryan (Duduk), Eduard
Hartunyan (Percussion), Artyom Manukyan (Cello), Nelly
Manoukyan (Flute), Linos String Quartet, Mary Vardanyan
(Qanun) and others…
The result spectacularly
brings together her European roots and Armenian descent
as Celtic-like haunting melodies together with the
Armenian spirit merge into something truly beautiful.
Her songs are about life, love, the village in which she
volunteered in in Armenia in 2005, Armenia, and her
return to her ancestral homeland. Sonya has since
performed at the Golden Guitar Music Festival in July
2006 in Yerevan and has also given 3 solo concerts in
Yerevan (1 in July 2006 and 2 in October 2006) in which
she has performed both her Armenian and English songs.
Her concerts have all sold out and as a result she has
been invited to numerous television interviews and
programs and has had many write-ups in journals like
“Afisha”, Armenia Now, and Yerevan Weekly. Her music
also gets regular airplay on Yerevan radio stations.
Since October 2006, Sonya has been invited to
perform further concerts in London, Australia, Canada
and the USA.
Performances & Concerts
since 1998 (selection)
1998
The Spiral,
NYC
CB’s Gallery, NYC
Baggot Inn, NYC
Kenny’s
Castaways, NYC
1999
The Elbow Room, NYC
The
Bottom Line, NYC
Armenian American-Fest, Long Island,
NY
2000
Mercury Lounge,
NYC
2003
Baden Powell Hall,
London
2005
St Yeghishe,
London
2006
Hagop Baronian Hall, Yerevan,
Armenia
Naregatsi Art Insitute, Yerevan,
Armenia
Avante Gard Folk Music Club, Yerevan,
Armenia
Discography
All in All
(1991)
Seven (1998)
Confession (2000)
Janapar
(2006)
Reviews
November 1998 – Good
Times
“Lead singer Sonya Varoujian has an elegant
voice that does a great job of projecting her songs. Her
mellow yet powerful tone would leave most listeners
extremely impressed.”
November 1998 – Manhasset
Press
“Sonya is a born entertainer who captures her
audience with her catchy melodies, meaningful lyrics and
incredibly passionate performance.”
July 1989 –
Armenian Reporter
“One becomes quite awestruck by the
musically emotional tendencies displayed. The band
effortlessly cuts through a patter of rhythms and
envelops the listener with an irresistable magnetic
force that is just plain impossible to break free
from....
March 1999 – New York
Newsday
“Sometimes the letter grades above these
reviews aren’t enough. For Seven, there should be a
fourth category: atmosphere. It would get an A+...Seven
creates a lush sound over which Sonya Varoujian’s voice
soars. It is like aural aromatherapy.”
April 1999
– Instant Magazine
“Seven is Sonya Varoujian and her
evident talents are a promising treat for this
constantly changing music business. This girl is strong
and independent and there is always room for someone who
clearly sings from the heart.”
June 1999 – Spill
Magazine
“Sonya is a promising and talented artist
and it wouldn’t surprise me in the least to find her
making a fine career out of doing what she
loves.”
October 2006 – Armenia Now
“Close your
eyes and you are in Galway but open your ears and the
lilting voice of Sonya Varoujian delivers her poetry in
Armenian language. The combination of cultural
influences in compelling.”
Although Sonya writes her own music and
lyrics, on the Janapar album Sonya collaborated with
musicians such as Artyom Manukyan (Armenian Navy Band),
Ruben Haghvertyan, Armen Movsisyan, Hagop Jaghaspanyan
(guitar), Levon Tevanyan (shvi), Armen Grigoryan
(duduk), Nelly Manukyan (flute), Eduard Harutunyan
(Percussion), Meri Vardanyan (Qanun), Linos Quartet and
other talented musicians from Armenia. In earlier CD's
she has worked with Norwegian guitarist Hallgrim
Bratberg and Oshin Baroyan.
Influences:
All of the folk that came out of Armenia - such as Armen
Movsisyan, Ruben Haghvertyan, Vahan Artsruni, Lilit
Pipoyan, Armenian Navy Band, early Alla Levonyan and the
landscapes, history, and warmth of my people. Nature,
Truth, Love and Peace. Also Cranberries, Sarah
McLaughlin, Jann Arden, Joan Baez, Jewel (early albums),
and Dido.
Website: http://www.sonyavaroujian.com/
My Space Music: http://www.myspace.com/sonyavaroujianmusic
Posted 12 March 2007
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