Noted Armenian harpist plays at township library

The Ara Topouzian Trio, a nationally recognized Armenian-American musician, will be performing an evening of traditional and contemporary music at Bloomfield Township Public Library on Friday, November 11, at 7 p.m.

The concert is free and open to the public, with no registration required.

Ara Topouzian, a resident of Bloomfield Hills, is an Armenian-American musician whose proficiency at the kanun, or Middle Eastern harp, has made him a nationally-recognized artist. Topouzian is known for combining the traditional musical style of his Armenian heritage with influences from the Middle East, jazz, fusion, New Age, and blues. His performances, recordings, and collaborations with top Armenian and Middle Eastern musicians have earned him a global listenership, along with numerous awards. In addition, he has been awarded the Kresge Arts Fellowship in 2012 and the Michigan Heritage Award in 2022.

In recognition of his accomplishments, former Michigan Governor Rick Snyder appointed Topouzian to the Michigan Council of Arts & Cultural Affairs in 2018. He was reappointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in 2020, and currently serves on the council’s executive committee.