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Garo Avessian

Piano / Composition / Conducting / Orchestration / Harmony

 Born in Beirut. The First & Grand Prize Winner of 14th Danube International

Conducting Masterclass and Competition in Budapest – Hungary in 2018.

Conductor and Composer of mostly chamber works. His compositions are published by Da Vinci Publishing and have been performed in Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

Mr. Avessian studied piano from 1992 – 2000, as well as composition, harmony, theories and orchestration in Beirut. At Yerevan State Conservatory named after Komitas, he studied Composition with Ashautte Zohrabian from 2001 – 2006 and Symphonic & Opera Conducting with Aram Gharabekyan from 2003 – 2007 and earned a Master’s Degree in both professions. His Honors include Third Prize in Lazarus Saryan Composition Competition in Yerevan 2004 for “Three Kuchak Hayren”. In 2005, received Presidential Award for the recognition as the healthiest person in Armenia, hence gifted Acting in Gor Vardanyan’s Movie “Destiny”. Since 2008 he was assigned by Dr. Walid Gholmieh, to conduct the Lebanese Philharmonic Orchestra. Thus, his debut with LPO in October 2008 received an overwhelming critical acclaim from the audience and the press.

In collaboration with the Australian Embassy in February 2013, Garo Avessian conducted the Lebanese Philharmonic Orchestra in participation with the International Flautist Ana De La Vega playing Myslivecek Flute Concerto in Beirut for the second time in the history after its premier in London. In January 2014 Avessian was selected and participated in an International Conducting Masterclass with Donald Schleicher (Professor at Illinois State University) and Russell Miller (Professor at Eastman School of Music) in Chicago. In June, 2016, in collaboration with the Uruguayan Embassy, Avessian adapted the Uruguayan tangos with LPO for the first time in the land of the cedars. In July 2017 Mr. Avessian conducted the Opening Concert of the International Tyre Festival with composer Jamal Bou Hosn.

In August 2018, he became the First & Grand Prize Winner of 14th Danube International Conducting Masterclass and Competition in Budapest – Hungary.

In August 2019, he was selected to participate in the International Conducting Master Class with Achim Holub & London Classical Soloists, at St. George’s Churchin Campden Hill, West London. Hence, awarded with Diploma of “Special Commendation”.

Avessian is currently writing his Doctoral Thesis at The National Academy of Sciences of Republic of Armenia under the supervision of Professor, Dr. Anna Astryan about the Lebanese-Armenian composer Boghos Gelalian. Besides his continuous concerts with Lebanese Philharmonic Orchestra Avessian conducted the premiere of First Lebanese Arabic Oratorio from “Supper to Resurrection” in the April 2022. In 2019 November, Avessian conducted the Danube Symphony Orchestra in Budapest, in March of 2021 & February 2022 the Syrian National Symphony Orchestra in Damascus, in June 2022 the National Chamber Orchestra of Armenia in Yerevan and the Sibiu State Philharmonic Orchestra at the closing concert of the festival “Classics for Pleasure” organized by UNESCO and Elite Art Club, in Sibiu-Transylvania. In the October of the same year Avessian conducted the Ploiesti Philharmonic Orchestra in collaboration with the Armenian Embassy in Romania.

In 2024 with educational concerts Avessian collaborates with Danube Symphony Orchestra in the February of 2024 with two concerts in the Cultural Center and the Natural History Museum. Besides his performing concerts Garo Avessian also serves as an academic juror in several international competitions. Very recently he was in the jury panel of the 28th International Choral Competition of Preveza in 2024 July, in Greece.

Now based in Los Angeles, Garo Avessian is actively collaborating with musicians, ensembles, and institutions across a wide range of genres. He is proud to be on the faculty of Knauer Music School, where he continues to inspire and guide students in their musical journey. In addition to his teaching, Garo shares his original compositions and arrangements through the Sheet Music Plus and Sheet Music Direct platforms, remaining open to new artistic partnerships and collaborative projects both locally and internationally.