2014-2015 Competition Winner – Haig Aram Hovsepian, violin

Haig Aram Hovsepian, 16 years old, is a sophomore at Belmont High School. He started playing violin at the age of 4, studying privately with Narine Dolukhanian, Anna Korsunsky, and Mark Lakirovich. Currently he studies with Kyoko Horowitz at the New England Conservatory Prep Department. At the age of 11, Haig received his first award at the statewide Music Teachers’ Association competition. In 2010 he won the Gold Medal at the Classival Music Competition in Canada, in June of 2010 became a winner of the Young Promise International Competition, and in 2013 was the finalist in the Armenian Youth Talent Music Competition. In 2015 he became the finalist in the BSO Concerto Competition and won two other Concerto Competitions: the Waltham Philharmonic Orchestra and Belmont High School. He also made an appearance in a YouTube video production by the popular NPR program “From the Top.” From a very young age Haig started to perform at various community and charity events, churches, and nursing homes. He appeared on Belmont and Needham (MA) television featuring talented young musicians. Since its inception he has been a regular contributor/performer at the annual Belmont Cable Telethon aimed at raising funds for the local food pantry. Together with a group of other young performers he took part in a production benefiting the Joslin Diabetes Center. He also appeared in Our Young Stars and Music for Life recitals benefiting Boston Children’s Hospital, and the schools and orphanages destroyed by the earthquake in Armenia. Among various venues in which Haig has performed are: Carnegie Hall (New York), Massachusetts State House (Boston), Salle de Vallee des Champs (Montreal, Canada), Museum of Our National Heritage (Lexington), Belmont and Waltham Public Libraries, and the Armenian Library and Museum of America (Watertown). As a violinist, Haig has been an active member of chamber groups and orchestras at NEC. He is also an avid saxophone player and a proud member of Belmont High School’s Wind Ensemble, which was recently selected to perform at the Mass District Festival Concert 2015. In addition to classical music, Haig loves exploring jazz music by being part of his High School Jazz Band, and paying homage to pop music by occasional break-dancing.