Armands Melnbārdis is a

Latvia Latvia, officially the Republic of Latvia, is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is one of the three Baltic states, along with Estonia to the north and Lithuania to the south. It borders Russia to the east and Belarus to t ...

n-born musician and recording artist.

Early life

Melnbārdis was born and raised in

Riga Riga ( ) is the capital, Primate city, primate, and List of cities and towns in Latvia, largest city of Latvia. Home to 591,882 inhabitants (as of 2025), the city accounts for a third of Latvia's total population. The population of Riga Planni ...

, Latvia by his mother Helga Ingeborga Melnbārde, herself an accomplished artist and author. His violin studies began at the young age of five at Emīls Dārziņš Music School Conservatory of Music, in Riga, (). Armand began touring internationally at the age of twelve. In 1992 after one of his solo performances in the famous Wagner Hall in Riga, he was offered to continue his education at

Stetson University Stetson University is a private university in DeLand, Florida, United States. Established in 1883 as DeLand Academy, it was later renamed John B. Stetson University in honor of John B. Stetson. The university's main campus in DeLand spans 175 ...

with world renown classical violinist Dr. Alvaro Gomez, where upon his arrival he became the concertmaster of Stetson Symphony. Melnbārdis toured throughout Europe and the USA since the early age of twelve, performing in Germany, France, Finland, Russia, United Kingdom, Wales, Scotland, Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia.

Musical education

* Bachelor of Music,

, DeLand FL *

Rollins College Rollins College is a Liberal arts college, private liberal arts college in Winter Park, Florida. It was founded in November 1885 and has about 30 undergraduate majors and several master's programs. Florida's fourth oldest post-secondary institut ...

· Master of Music Education · Music Education · Winter Park, Florida * Emīls Dārziņš Music School Conservatory of Music, Riga, Latvia

Career

* Melnbārdi has performed or recorded with the following artists: * He has performed with a number of Orchestras, in the US and Latvia: * Melnbārdi has held the position of concertmaster with the United European International Orchestra Summit Cognac, France; and with the Stetson Symphony Orchestra, the Symphony Beach Club Ormond Beach Orchestra, and the Stetson Chamber Orchestra, all in DeLand, Florida. * Ormond Beach Symphony, and the Stetson University Orchestra have featured him as soloist. * He has been first violinist with the Vio7 String Quartet, the Barron String Quartet, and the Ormond String Quartet.

Television Performances

* "ARMAND Live From New York City" (TBN) * "ARMAND & ROB ROCK Christmas Special" (#1) (TBN) * "ARMAND & ROB ROCK Christmas Special" (#2) (TBN) * "Carman Halloween Special" (TBN) * "Christmas with N'Sync" (MTV, VH1)

Studio albums

* Vio7 ''The Seventh String'' (7-string rock; metal violin) * ''Vintage Colours'' (smooth jazz violin) * ''Pure Vanilla Christmas'' (classical, jazz, Broadway) * ''Upon The Christmas Night'' (jazz, pop, classical, Christian) * ''Dig'' With Heaven and Earth (2013)

Recognition and awards

* A.S.T.A. Young Artist Competition in Miami, Florida * Stetson University Concerto Competition, DeLand, Florida * Upcoming Classical Stars Competition, Riga, Latvia

References

External links

*http://www.songweavers.com/about.php?member=armandvio7 *http://www.metaltalk.net/columns/20100204.php *http://www.sugarbuzzmagazine.com/bands/vio7/vio7.html *http://www.artistdirect.com/artist/credits/armand-melnbardis/10624670 *http://www.seaoftranquility.org/reviews.php?op=showcontent&id=7182 *http://metalcrypt.wordpress.com/2009/.../armand-melnbardis-of-vio7-intervie... *http://www.emergenza.net/US/en-us/.../armand-melnbardis.aspx *https://web.archive.org/web/20120204125226/http://www.robrock.com/index2.html *http://violinsrule.libsyn.com/episode-10-no-guitars-needed-armand-shreds-wit... *https://myspace.com/armandvio7 *http://www.tvnet.lv/izklaide/popkultura/42628-helga_ingeborga_melnbarde_visu_pati_fire {{DEFAULTSORT:Melnbardis, Armand Latvian classical violinists Child classical musicians Stetson University alumni Year of birth missing (living people) Living people Rock violinists Musicians from Riga 21st-century classical violinists