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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 Akgulian (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 April 2006 Sonya went to Armenia and recorded her 4th CD entitled “Janapar” which is composed of 12 original Armenian songs. Composer Narine Zarifyan wrote arrangements for her songs and Sonya collaborated with some of Armenia’s most talented musicians during her recording at Vem Studios in Yerevan (with sound engineer Arman Avestisyan).
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, Armenian Reporter and Yerevan Weekly. Her music also gets airplay on Yerevan and other international radio stations.
Sonya's last CD (Janapar) was nominated in the category of "Best Alternative Album" at the 9th Annual Music Awards at the Universal Ampitheatre in Los Angeles this past November. Currently Sonya has been invited to perform further concerts globally and is writing new material. She has also been performed in the Los Angeles area with legendary oudist John Bilezikjian, talented composer/keyboardist Greg Hosharian, oudi/guitarist Antranig Kzirian, percussionist Mher Vahakn Ajamian, cellist Garik Terzian and vocalist Anoush Arakelian
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
Ealing Town Hall, London, UK
2007
Sourp Hagop, Montreal Canada
Come Together Festival, Los Angeles, CA
AGBU Fundraiser, Ritz Carlton Pasadena, CA
Armenian Telethon, Los Angeles, CA
2008
Mosaic II, Alex Theater, CA
The Knitting Factory, Hollywood, CA
Discography
All in All 1991
Seven1998
Confession2000
Janapar2006
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 1999 – 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.”
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.”
October 2006 – CDBaby.com
Beautiful, magical and heartfelt.
Reviewer: Jackie
"Janabar is a must have for any folk music collection. The Armenian Lyrics are poetic and Sonya's voice is strong, sultry and heartfelt (as usual!). The flutes have a magical and whimsical effect that make this CD unique and uplifting."
April 2007 - www.Hayshop.net
Reviewer: Mary Artinian
"This CD is AMAZING. It is a fresh beautiful sound and Varoujian's voice is so earthy and natural - without all the excessive technique which masks the true quality of a voice. This girl is an Armenian Joan Baez with an Irish/Armenian twist. I LOVED it."
SONYA VAROUJIAN: JanabarWorld Music. Contemporary Armenian Folk.
