Andrew Kzirian
Name
Andrew Kzirian
Birth date
00 September 1978
Country
USA 
City
Unknown
Viza
Andrew performs on the oud widely across the US, Canada and Europe at numerous venues, concerts and festivals. His command of the guitar has also garnered him much acclaim in music circles around the country. Aside from his extensive touring schedule, Andrew performs as a member of the Aravod Ensemble, History Project Series and Viza and has participated in collaborations with other recording artists as a composer, writer and experienced studio musician. He has recently performed with world renowned composer and oud master Ara Dinkjian, System of a Down frontman Serj Tankian and various other artists.
The theoretical framework within which Andrew operates musically allows him to arrange thoughtful and profound musical landscapes, and he is called upon frequently for his unique interpretation of the oud and guitar. When he’s not teaching guitar and oud to music students to pass on Armenian music and culture, Andrew ventures into fusion and other world music projects and enjoys exploring the sitar, violin, bass, saz and bouzouki. Andrew has also studied the ethnomusicological component of the oud in Armenian Diaspora identity from an analytical perspective and seeks to raise awareness of the instrument’s role in that culture.
Andrew studied Diplomacy and International Finance at Columbia University and holds degrees in International Relations from the University of Pennsylvania and Law from Villanova University. His musical influences include Oudi Hrant Kenkulian, the Armenian oud master, Oudi Yorgo Bacanos, George Mgrdichian, John Berberian, Ara Dinkjian, Richard Hagopian, Mal Barsamian and John Bilezikjian. Several rock and metal groups like Metallica, Tool, Rage Against the Machine, System of a Down, In Living Colour, Filter, NIN and the various groups of the Seattle music scene are among Andrew’s contemporary inspirations.
Andrew aims to continue fusing old with new, and traditional with modern to push the envelope of our musical boundaries. He is committed to creating new ideas and music that will resonate with listeners across the world.
The theoretical framework within which Andrew operates musically allows him to arrange thoughtful and profound musical landscapes, and he is called upon frequently for his unique interpretation of the oud and guitar. When he’s not teaching guitar and oud to music students to pass on Armenian music and culture, Andrew ventures into fusion and other world music projects and enjoys exploring the sitar, violin, bass, saz and bouzouki. Andrew has also studied the ethnomusicological component of the oud in Armenian Diaspora identity from an analytical perspective and seeks to raise awareness of the instrument’s role in that culture.
Andrew studied Diplomacy and International Finance at Columbia University and holds degrees in International Relations from the University of Pennsylvania and Law from Villanova University. His musical influences include Oudi Hrant Kenkulian, the Armenian oud master, Oudi Yorgo Bacanos, George Mgrdichian, John Berberian, Ara Dinkjian, Richard Hagopian, Mal Barsamian and John Bilezikjian. Several rock and metal groups like Metallica, Tool, Rage Against the Machine, System of a Down, In Living Colour, Filter, NIN and the various groups of the Seattle music scene are among Andrew’s contemporary inspirations.
Andrew aims to continue fusing old with new, and traditional with modern to push the envelope of our musical boundaries. He is committed to creating new ideas and music that will resonate with listeners across the world.