Datevik hovanesian biography of william

Teacher and Educator: Choral director and voice teacher. Taught students of all ages and levels, in music schools and private lessons. She has led workshops in jazz vocal and improvisation, styling and technique. Workshops and Master Classes at Manhattan School of Music and New School of Music, (New York USA), among many.

DATEVIK'S BIOGRAPHY PRINTED FROM THE "LISTEN TO MY HEART" CD BOOKLET

Datevik was born in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. All the members of her family are musicians. Her mother is Ophelia Hambartsumian, the renowned master of folk song; her father Norair Hovanesian, is an expert kamancha (folk string instrument) player; her brother, a classical violinist.

"The Diva of Armenian Folk Songs, Ophelia Hambartsumian, (my Mom)"

“My mother’s clear, resonant voice and her masterful renditions of folk songs provided much nourishment to my soul and greatly influenced the formation of my eventual musical world. Various kinds of music were continually played in our house: Folk, Classical, Contemporary, and Jazz. Since my brother was a devotee of jazz, naturally I too was inspired by that music. It’s amazing how pleasing and authentic the artistry of Oscar Peterson, Dave Brubeck, Ella Fitzgerald and other musical geniuses began to sound in my inner self. It didn’t take long for me to feel and understand that jazz music would become my lifelong companion.”

"The Diva of Armenian Folk Songs, Ophelia Hambartsumian, (my Mom)"

Datevik made her first recording at the age of 11 with Harold Arlen’s song It’s Only a Paper Moon. Thereafter, music and song became her focal point and her life’s raison d’être. While continuing her musical education in the field of conducting, Datevik also embarked on performance tours in Europe, the United States, Asia, and Africa. She juggled participation in well-known jazz festivals with solo performances, movies, and teaching. By 1979 this rising song star had earned the title of “The First Lady Of Jazz” in the Soviet Union, which she maintained for nine consecutive years. It was during that time that her solo albums
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