Cal State LA Professor Satik Andriassian to lead arts residency for displaced children in Armenia
This coming fall, Satik Andriassian, a classical guitar lecturer and guitar ensemble director in Cal State LA’s Department of Music, will return to Armenia to lead the Children of Armenia Music Program (CAMP), a three-week arts residency for displaced children.
Joining Professor Andriassian will be John M. Kennedy, distinguished professor of music, and Professor Marcel Giwargis of Cal State LA’s Department of Television, Film, and Media Studies. Through music, filmmaking, and storytelling, the program will provide creative opportunities for children whose lives have been affected by war and displacement.
CAMP grew out of a 2023 visit by Andriassian to Armenia. A Cal State LA alumna of Armenian descent, she worked with children in remote communities through a collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The UNHCR is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights, and building a better future for people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution.
“During my visit, I witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by children whose lives had been disrupted by war and displacement,” said Andriassian. “That experience inspired me to create a sustained music education initiative that could provide opportunities for creativity, self-expression, and hope.”
This year, Andriassian and Kennedy will spend three weeks working in several villages serving displaced children ages 6 to 13. The faculty members will work with students daily, helping them develop artistic skills while preparing for a culminating community showcase featuring musical performances and original creative works.
A major contributor to the project is the Guitar Center Music Foundation, which donated 20 guitars and educational materials that will remain in Armenia after the residency. The donation, made under the leadership of Executive Director Myka Miller-Jimenez, will provide a lasting resource for participating children and their communities.
“From the beginning, Myka recognized the value of providing music education opportunities to children who have experienced displacement and hardship,” said Andriassian. “Her vision, leadership, and belief in the transformative power of music helped turn what began as an idea into a sustainable educational initiative.”
During the residency program, Andriassian will teach the fundamentals of music and guitar performance, while Kennedy will introduce students to music composition, sound exploration, and instrument building. His involvement expands the educational scope of the project by encouraging students not only to perform music, but also to create it.
In addition to teaching, Kennedy and Andriassian will present a series of performances featuring solo and duo works by a variety of composers, including Armenian American composer Loris Chobanian. The performances will connect students to a broader musical world while celebrating Armenia’s rich cultural heritage.
As part of the trip, Giwargis will produce a second documentary chronicling the project and its impact while also leading film and storytelling workshops for participating children. The workshops will introduce students to visual storytelling techniques and provide a creative outlet to share their experiences and perspectives.
The first documentary, created by Giwargis and his students, helped raise awareness of CAMP and build support among partners, including UNHCR and the Guitar Center Music Foundation.
Many of the children participating in CAMP have experienced the trauma of war, displacement, and uncertainty. For Andriassian, helping children find avenues for expression and healing remains at the heart of the program.
“My hope is that through music, these children will discover confidence, creativity, and a sense of peace,” said Andriassian. “If even a few children find comfort, inspiration, or a new path for self-expression through this program, then it will have achieved something meaningful.”
Andriassian also said she hopes the project will continue to expand in the future.
“My long-term goal is to help establish creative centers in these communities where artists from all walks of life can volunteer their time and talents to present workshops, performances, and educational programs,” she said. “I envision these centers becoming places where children can explore music, art, filmmaking, writing, and other creative disciplines, giving them opportunities for learning and personal growth.”
This residency is being planned as an annual program under the leadership of Andriassian.
Photo: Cal State LA faculty members Marcel Giwargis (TV, Film, and Media Studies), Satik Andriassian (Music), and John M. Kennedy (Music) are partnering with UNHCR to provide music, composition, and filmmaking workshops for displaced children in Armenia. (Credit: J Emilio Flores/Cal State LA)
