Metro Detroit's Dan Yessian Honored with Armenian Music Studio Dedication

Dan Yessian, a renowned composer from Metro Detroit, has been honored by the Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) with the dedication of a music education studio in rural Armenia bearing his name.

 

This recognition follows Yessian's significant fundraising efforts, including a May 2025 event featuring his composition, "An Armenian Trilogy," which raised over $50,000 to support COAF's initiatives.

 

The newly named Dan Yessian Family Music Studio is located within the COAF SMART Center in Lori, Armenia.

 

This center offers free after-school programs in arts, languages, and technology, aiming to empower local youth with essential skills for a brighter future.

 

Investments in the studio include the acquisition of musical instruments and professional-grade equipment such as keyboards, headphones, microphones, and computers.

 

These resources enable students to engage in digital music creation, recording, and sound editing.

 

Acoustic enhancements and classroom upgrades have also been implemented to enrich the learning environment.

 

Currently, over 174 students participate in sound design and musical instrument classes twice a week, gaining hands-on experience with world-class tools.

 

Future plans include workshops on sound and music production, further acoustic improvements, and the addition of more studio equipment.

 

Haig Boyadjian, COAF's Vice President of Development, expressed gratitude to Yessian, stating, "Your gift is not only providing them with instruments and a studio, but also with the confidence to express themselves and dream beyond boundaries."

 

Yessian's commitment to music education stems from his own experiences.

 

He reflects, "It built my confidence as a child, helping me to express myself."

 

His Armenian heritage and passion for music have inspired his philanthropic endeavors, including the composition of "An Armenian Trilogy" to commemorate the centennial of the Armenian Genocide.

 

This piece premiered in Michigan in 2015 and was later performed by the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra in 2017.

 

Yessian's dedication to his roots and the arts continues to inspire and uplift communities both locally and abroad.