For as long as Armen Khachatryan, 24, can remember, he has been playing a trombone-a beloved instrument that has become his best friend and lifelong companion. “But only recently did I realize its true power in shaping who I am and how confident and strong I’ve become,” Armen says, his voice trembling with emotion.
Armen was still a child when his mother, Ruzanna Shakhkulyan-a music theorist at the FAR-supported Sayan Music School-discovered he had autism. Despite the challenges, Ruzanna’s supportive and steadfast nature allowed her to guide Armen through life’s hurdles. She attended school with him, sitting at the back desk of the classroom to help with his homework later at home. She took him to development centers, therapy sessions, and music schools, where he learned to play the piano and sing.
When Armen was 10, he picked up the trombone for the first time. “I wanted to play the tuba,” he recalls. “But my teacher looked at my fingers, my face, and my lips and gently said, ‘Let’s try the trombone.’ It was a good decision, and I’ve never regretted it.” While surprised at first, Armen quickly embraced the teacher’s guidance.
Since then, the trombone has become Armen’s way to release the emotions he sometimes has difficulty putting into words. Playing melodies and harmonies every morning after his breathing exercises, Armen practices tirelessly—sometimes for seven hours a day. He also set a clear life goal: “I want to become a trombone teacher. I’ll share my knowledge and help others master their art.”
Ruzanna notes that as Armen’s connection to the trombone deepened, so did his resilience and confidence. Today, Armen is a first-year master’s student at the Komitas State Conservatory of Yerevan. He has recently received FAR’s Mathevosian Scholarship to continue his education without the financial strain of a loan-a relief for his mother.
Over the years, Armen has participated in numerous music festivals and competitions, earning awards and diplomas that adorn his room. Each one stands as a testament to his unyielding spirit and refusal to fear mistakes, as both music and life move forward, even after a sour note. “I’m not afraid of making mistakes, and I don’t get upset when they happen. I work on them until I get it right. My goal now is to join a band where I can fully realize my potential,” concludes Armen by performing an impromptu duet with his mother.
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