Raphael Minaskanian
Born in 1941 in Tehran to music loving parents, Raphael began his musical studies at the age of six and at the age of ten, gave his first solo performance for Iran’s first televised classical piano recital. He studied with the distinguished teacher and composer Emanuel Melik-Aslanian, making frequent stage and TV appearances, sharing the stage for the very first performance of “Rhapsody for Two Pianos” with the composer Arno Babjanian, and culminating in a debut at the Purcell Room of London’s Royal Festival Hall. Raphael’s music classes took him to UCLA and later to New York’s Juilliard School of Performing Arts. He also studied with internationally known master teachers Aube Tzerko, Ilona Kabos and Karl Ulrich Schnabel. After decades of solo and orchestral appearances on Armenian, European, American, and Canadian stages, Raphael returned to his birthplace and began restoring respect for classical music education in his country. For over three decades, he has taught Music at major Iranian universities, conducted master classes, and served as head of jury for university entrance exams for students aspiring to degrees in music, as well as for identifying candidates in national musical competitions for youth. His students have consistently been admitted to major institutions in Europe and North America. In 2019, Iran’s Ministry of Culture and Education acknowledged Mr. Minaskanian’s contributions to music education with a large celebration and an Honorary Doctorate degree. In addition to his busy schedule, Dr. Minaskanian welcomes opportunities to perform at fund raising events for organizations that promote music education, and medical research.
