Mariam Matossian (born in

Vancouver Vancouver ( ) is a major city in western Canada, located in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia. As the List of cities in British Columbia, most populous city in the province, the 2021 Canadian census recorded 662,248 people in the ...

British Columbia British Columbia (commonly abbreviated as BC) is the westernmost province of Canada, situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains. It has a diverse geography, with rugged landscapes that include rocky coastlines, sandy beaches, ...

, Canada) is a musician specialising in Armenian folk music.

Early life and education

Her

Armenian Armenian may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to Armenia, a country in the South Caucasus region of Eurasia * Armenians, the national people of Armenia, or people of Armenian descent ** Armenian Diaspora, Armenian communities across the ...

parents spoke their native language in their home, instilling in Matossian a love for Armenian music and culture. As a young teenager, Matossian commenced over a decade of training in classical voice. After graduating from the

University of British Columbia The University of British Columbia (UBC) is a public research university with campuses near Vancouver and in Kelowna, British Columbia. Established in 1908, it is British Columbia's oldest university. The university ranks among the top thre ...

in 1995, she spent seven years as a high school instructor of English Literature and Language Arts, in addition to time as a counsellor. In 1998 she became the first family member to travel to Armenia since her grandmother, a survivor of the

Armenian genocide The Armenian genocide was the systematic destruction of the Armenian people and identity in the Ottoman Empire during World War I. Spearheaded by the ruling Committee of Union and Progress (CUP), it was implemented primarily through t ...

, had been deported c. 1915. While there, volunteering for an English-language newspaper, Matossian became informed of the overwhelming plight of Armenian street children. Her involvement with these children culminated in a 2002 leave of absence from her teaching career to work for three months with them.

Musical career

Matossian's return from Armenia marked the beginning of her professional career as a musician. 2004 saw Matossian awarded with a Music/Career Development grant from the Canada Council for the Arts, providing her the means to release her debut recording, ''Far from Home'', early the same year. ''Far from Home'' has enjoyed airplay across Canada, in the United States and Europe, and was selected in 2005 as one of

John Diliberto ''Echoes'' is a daily two-hour music radio program hosted by John Diliberto featuring a soundscape of ambient, space, electronica, and new-age music. The program features in-depth artist interviews and intimate "living room" performances. Inte ...

’s 25 Essential Albums for ''Echoes'' radio program on NPR. Matossian’s concerts have been recorded by the CBC and broadcast nationally across Canada. She has performed with the renowned oud master (''Udi''), John Berberian. Other acclaimed Canadian musicians such as Jesse Zubot, Ernie Tollar, Francois Houle, Elliot Polsky, and Catherine Potter rank among those with whom she has shared a stage. In 2008 Matossian joined forces with the instrumental world fusion group Free Planet Radio, which includes River Guerguerian (percussion), Chris Rosser ( cumbus, oud), and Grammy award winner, Eliot Wadiopian (acoustic bass). The group performs together to sold out crowds in southeast USA. ''Greenville News'' arts writer Ann Hicks calls Matossian "a rare, compelling artist who can spellbind any audience." She currently resides in the United States.

Awards and recognition

* 2008: Nominated for a Western Canadian Music Award (Outstanding World Music Album of the Year for ''In the Light'') * 2008: Nominated for a Canadian Folk Music Award (Traditional Album of the Year for ''In the Light'') * 2008: Nominated for a Canadian Folk Music Award (Best New/Emerging Artist) * 2008: Named among KPFK’s "Best of 2008" for ''In the Light'' (by Yatrika Shah-Rais, ''Global Village'')

Discography

* ''Far From Home'' (2004) * ''In the Light'' (2007)

References

External links

Official Website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Matossian, Mariam Canadian folk musicians Canadian women singer-songwriters Canadian singer-songwriters Musicians from Vancouver Canadian people of Armenian descent Canadian expatriates in the United States Living people Year of birth missing (living people)