InternationalNara sings because she means it – no compromises
Published: Monday February 02, 2009
Nara. Vigen Mnoyan
Yerevan - For as far back as songstress Nara can remember, music has been a driving force in her life.
Born and raised in Yerevan, she studied for seven years at music school, where she focused on voice training. She then entered the Armenian National Conservatory to train as an opera singer. After a brief break from music, Nara decided to change directions from opera to jazz, studying at Armenia's Jazz and Popular Music College. Upon graduating, in 1989, she became a soloist in the Armenian State Jazz Orchestra, under the direction of world-renowned pianist and conductor Constantine Orbelian. The orchestra gained high acclaim and a wide audience across the former Soviet Union. Unfortunately, in 1992, during Armenia's difficult early years of independence, Orbelian left the country and the 50-year-old orchestra came to an end.
Through her life experiences, Nara had gained a sort of resilience to sudden changes and disappointments, so she wasn't down for long. She soon joined Levon Malkhasian (Malkhas), dubbed the "father of Armenian jazz," and traveled with a group of Armenian jazz musicians to Argentina and Uruguay. "We were there in September during Carnival, and for me it was like a dream come true," says Nara. "I was young and beside myself with happiness, to be a part of something I had only seen on TV."
At an early stage, it was becoming very apparent that Nara's singing career was taking her places, and fast. She soon landed another contract, this time in Beirut. Nara instantly fell in love with the unique cosmopolitan Middle Eastern charm of Beirut. And it wasn't just the city she was falling in love with - she also met her husband there.
Following her marriage, Nara took a long break from her music career. "Every woman wants to have a strong, stable family and a future for her children," she says. So she took a very difficult ten-year hiatus from music. Dividing her time between Beirut and Yerevan and tending to a busy family life, Nara had her hands full, but she couldn't stay away from music for long.
Now, with two grown-up children and the love and support of her family and friends, Nara sees her career back in full swing. "At first it was hard getting back into music," says the songstress. "Of course there were fears and doubts: Am I too late? Do I still have what it takes? But that is only natural. It's not good to be too self-confident. But I knew I had something to express, from a woman's perspective. My songs have to do with strong women. Circumstances in my life have made me strong, and I wanted to pass that strength on to the women of Armenia through my songs."
Nara released her first CD, I Love You, in 2006, and is currently working on her second album. She is also hard at work preparing for a big concert this coming fall. Her style is bold, fun, and flavorful, with a unique mix of sounds from the Middle East and Armenia. "Lebanon is very much a part of my life now," she says, "and I love the culture there, so naturally I wish to incorporate that eastern feel in my music." Her hit single, "Arevelkits Arevmutk" (From East to West), blends enticing darbuka rhythms with an Armenian flair.
With several hit songs and music videos over the past few years and a faithful fan base from her early days in music, Nara has become a household name in Armenia. But years of experience have taught her to keep a level head and never to lose sight of her artistic vision. "I only perform for nonprofit functions," says Nara. "For soldiers in different regions of Armenia, for disabled children, and to raise money for various charities. I sing whatever I want, because I don't do it for money. I choose the songs that are important to me, and I don't ever compromise."
