Vasken Ohanian shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Vasken, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What is a normal day like for you right now?
You know, as a working musician early in my career, there’s no real such thing as a normal day. We do our best to keep to a normal schedule—creating every day, getting enough sleep, going to the gym, etc. but every day comes with new thrills and challenges. That’s half the fun!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Vasken Ohanian, and I’m a composer, conductor, and countertenor in Los Angeles. In my art, I’m fascinated with the depth and complexity of the human experience. My music is always jam-packed with emotion, and I love sharing it with audiences wherever I go. Currently, I’m also the Assistant Artistic Director to The Unprecedented Music Association, and a Lecturer at Cal. State Northridge.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
Funny enough, every piece I write is something that gets released once it’s performed. I’ve never been great at openly expressing my emotions, so when I write, those emotions find their way into my music. In that way, the first performance of any of my music becomes a cathartic release of emotion. Those emotions then have served their purpose and can be released from my mind, freeing up the way for whatever comes next.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
The specifics of the defining wounds of my life are not something that I ever discuss publicly, but what I can say is that my wounds are not so different than those that everyone else has. I’m fortunate to have a solid support system of friends and family and my work is fulfilling. Both of those are so helpful for healing.
I think it also helps that I’m always looking for ways to grow and better myself. Some wounds can be so deep that they never completely heal, but the confidence you gain from pushing through new challenges helps you move forward.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
As someone who mainly writes and performs in what most people call the “Classical Music Industry” (I prefer the term “Western Art Music,” but we don’t need to get into that right now), I often hear people say “Classical music is dying” or “People aren’t interested in Classical Music anymore,” and I don’t think that could be farther from the truth.
While it’s true that concert attendance has been declining over the years, I think that’s been caused much more by stale programming, an outdated concert format, and an air of elitism that many of the major institutions in the concert music scene have somehow cultivated over the years. But what I’ve seen coming out of smaller organizations like The Unprecedented Music Association, which as a member, I may be a bit biased to, Delirium Musicum, Laós Chamber Music, or any number of ensembles are dynamic concerts that people are incredibly drawn to, especially when it features local artists, composers, and performers.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Have you ever gotten what you wanted, and found it did not satisfy you?
No, I don’t think so. For one, I’m not a person who wants or needs a lot. So, when I do want something it’s usually closely aligned with who I am and my goals. Also, in general, I do my best to make sure I’m being honest with myself and objective about what I see; I find it’s very useful for tempering expectations and preventing surprise letdowns.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.vaskenohanian.com
- Instagram: @vaomusik
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@VAOMusik
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/vaomusik
Image Credits
Mariangela Quiroga
Diane Torrence
