AWWA Podcast: Armenian Voices

Lilian Tahmasian’s connection to her Armenian identity has been shaped through rhythm, movement, and tradition. Raised in Australia, she grew up immersed in Armenian culture through private Armenian schooling, over 23 years of traditional folk dance, and a family of musicians who brought Armenian music to life both at home and on stage. Today, as a creative influencer and co-owner of a social medi...

Born and raised in Glendale, Narine Minasyan grew up in a home that was always full—of family, food, music, and celebration. As a first-generation Armenian-American, her earliest memories are shaped by a house that served as a landing place for relatives from across the diaspora, reflecting the deep-rooted Armenian values of hospitality and community. In this episode, Narine shares how those exper...

For Kristel Arabian, being Armenian is deeply connected to hospitality, family, and the flavors of childhood. Born into an Armenian family in Beirut and raised in a culture where food brought people together, those early memories, especially moments in the kitchen with her grandmother, shaped how she understands her heritage today. In this episode, Kristel reflects on how a few simple dishes prepa...

Jean-Marie Papelian’s path to environmental impact began far from Armenia’s forests. Raised in Milford, Massachusetts, in a close-knit Armenian-American community, his early connection to heritage deepened during a transformative trip to Soviet Armenia in 1987—an experience that changed the course of his life. After building a successful 23-year career as a lawyer in Boston, Jean-Marie felt a grow...

Raised in Yeghegnadzor and now studying Game Art at Ringling College of Art and Design, Arsine Mkrtchyan is building new worlds while staying rooted in ancient ones. A UWC East Africa graduate, she weaves Armenian heritage into everything she creates, from 3D modeling and visual storytelling to traditional art inspired by cultural motifs. In this episode, Arsine shares how she bridges tradition an...

Born in Sochi, raised in Cherkasy, with family roots in Abkhazia and an Armenian heritage that spans borders, Andrei’s story is one of constant movement and intentional grounding. Now based in Florida after recently immigrating to the U.S. as a permanent resident, he reflects on building a life across countries, cultures, and callings. With two master’s degrees in Law and an MBA, Andrei’s path has...

Born in Vanadzor and shaped by years spent in Goris, Yerevan, and Syunik, Anna’s path in medicine is deeply connected to place, purpose, and service. A graduate of Yerevan State Medical University, she has chosen to return to the region where she spent her childhood—working on the front lines of care in Syunik. In this episode, Anna reflects on her commitment to healing at home while training glob...

Krista Marina is an alternative pop/R&B singer, songwriter, and producer whose sound blends jazz, blues, and the Middle Eastern soul she grew up with—creating music that feels both otherworldly and deeply familiar. Recognized by artists like Majid Jordan and Russ as “an artist in the truest sense,” Krista has built a body of work defined by curiosity, consistency, and emotional honesty. In thi...

Born and raised in Yerevan, Nare Navasardyan works at the intersection of storytelling, language, and civic thought. As a co-author of the documentary Pasaran , a translator at the Armenian Center for Political Rights (ACPR), and an interviewer at Hairenik Media , her work explores how ideas move through film, dialogue, and public discourse. This episode follows Nare’s evolving creative path, from...

Born in Gyumri and raised in North Carolina, Davit Melikian has spent his life navigating the space between heritage and homeland. A custom home builder, entrepreneur, and devoted Armenian-American advocate, Davit channels his belief in community into action, both locally and nationally. As the North Carolina State Chair for the Armenian Assembly of America, he works tirelessly to elevate Armenian...

Born in the village of Sardarapat, Marine Jarchafjian has shaped her life around language, culture, and the enduring heartbeat of Armenian identity. After graduating from Yerevan State University of Languages and Social Studies, she taught English before discovering her love for guiding visitors through Armenia’s landscapes and stories. Marine is deeply devoted to authentic Armenian national dance...

Born in Gyumri and trained in Yerevan, Lilit Movsisyan uses storytelling as a way to document and preserve what others often overlook. Her first book, A Mother’s Conversation , shares the intimate story of Edgar Aghababyan, a fallen hero of the 2020 Artsakh War, with all proceeds donated to his family. Lilit then turned to documentary filmmaking, debuting with “And Hovhannes Came,” a tribute to Ar...

Kyle Kalebdjian Clark is an Amsterdam-based guitarist and composer whose music has been described as an Eastern soul playing a Western instrument. A recent graduate of The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York City, Kyle studied under renowned artists including Ara Dinkjian and Oded Tzur—mentors who helped shape his distinctive voice as a musician. In May 2024, he made his breakth...

Ani Carla offers a heartfelt reflection on life within the Armenian diaspora, shaped by her experiences in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area. Her story is one of spiritual grounding, ancestral connection, and cultural preservation through the healing arts. With wisdom drawn from both heritage and personal experience, Ani bridges modern identity with sacred tradition—revealing how spirit a...

Jessica Damerjian’s journey begins in Gyumri, Armenia, where she was born and adopted as a baby. Now a college student at Drexel University in Philadelphia studying Construction Management, Jessica reflects deeply on themes of identity, belonging, and rediscovering her Armenian roots. Originally from Reading, Massachusetts, her story explores what it means to bridge two worlds—being raised in a di...

Simone Rizkallah is a Catholic speaker and writer who helps people discover a deeper and more meaningful existence. As a first-generation American of Egyptian-Armenian descent, she calls herself a “cultural gypsy”—Western born and educated, yet raised in an Eastern cultural and ethnic context. This unique background gives her a powerful perspective on the search for belonging and identity. Through...

Susanna Semerdzhyan is an Armenian-American writer and ESL instructor based in Los Angeles. A proud child of immigrants and a descendant of Armenian Genocide survivors, she is also a first-generation college graduate whose journey has deeply shaped her work and storytelling. Her writing often explores identity, belonging, and the complexities of growing up as a child of immigrants. Susanna contrib...

Susan Terzian Aran is a proud Armenian mother, Nutrition Educator, Holistic Health Coach, Yoga Teacher, Entrepreneur, and founder of Radiate Kombucha . Grounded in her heritage and guided by values of gratitude, authenticity, and human connection, Susan lives with intention while inspiring others to do the same. For Susan, Radiate Kombucha is more than a drink—it reflects her belief in wellness, b...

Lilly Torosyan is an Armenian-American writer and editor whose work centers on celebrating and preserving Armenian culture. As the editor of The Armenian Weekly , she curates and amplifies stories that reflect the depth and breadth of Armenian identity—past, present, and future. Through her editorial leadership, Lilly ensures that the voices, achievements, and experiences of the global Armenian co...

Margarita Simonyan is a first-year student at Stanford University, where she’s double majoring in International Relations and Public Policy with a focus on international security, peacebuilding, and human rights. Originally from Los Angeles, her commitment to the Armenian community runs just as deep as her academic ambitions. Margarita’s connection to her roots began early—at just five years old,...

Tamar Kassarjian is a Florida-born Armenian-American whose life is a vibrant blend of service, storytelling, and cultural preservation. While she works full-time as a medical assistant, her true calling shines through in the countless ways she uplifts Armenian identity in her community. Tamar is deeply rooted in local and national Armenian organizations, proudly serving as a member of the Armenian...

Tatevik Ananyan, known to many as Tate, was born in Yerevan and raised in New York after moving to the U.S. at the age of eight. While she grew up in the heart of the city, her summers in Armenia and traditional Armenian upbringing deeply shaped her values, faith, family, and education, always at the center. Active in her local Armenian church, Tate served as a Saturday school teacher and camp cou...

Armen Jesralyan was born and raised in New Jersey, carrying with him a deep personal connection to Armenian history—his grandfather, Peter, was a survivor of the Armenian Genocide of 1915 and immigrated to the United States with his family in search of a better future. Grounded in that legacy, Armen grew up closely tied to his Armenian roots. Over the years, he has been actively involved in numero...

Delilah Shahbazian is a lifelong community advocate whose roots run deep in the Armenian Apostolic Church. Raised in faith and culture, she has remained actively involved in organizations dedicated to uplifting the Armenian people and preserving their collective identity. Her passion lies in protecting the core of Armenian culture—its language, traditions, and spiritual foundations. Whether throug...

Stephanie Mangioglu is a music director, conductor, educator, and multi-instrumentalist with a passion for preserving and reimagining Armenian culture through sound. While she works across genres and musical disciplines, her heritage often shapes the heart of her projects. Most recently, she has been developing a musical initiative focused on Armenian folk songs, combining traditional melodies wit...