Crescenta Valley Youth Center to Host “The Oud and Armenian American Identity” Presentation by Antranig Kzirian
The Educational Committee of the Crescenta Valley Meher & Satig Der Ohanessian Youth Center will host a lecture on “The Oud and Armenian American Identity” presented by Attorney Antranig Kzirian, on Thursday February 19. The presentation will begin at 7:30 p.m. Pacific Time at Crescenta Valley Youth Center located at 2633 Honolulu Ave, Montrose, CA 91020.
What does the sound of the oud remember? The oud lived in Armenian homes, weddings, and community gatherings—carrying memory, grief, and belonging across generations.
This presentation tells the story of how Armenian Americans in the Eastern United States preserved identity through sound after the Armenian Genocide, transforming the oud into a sacred and leading instrument of diaspora life. Blending history, personal narrative, archival voices, and music, the talk invites audiences to recall the oud’s role as a survivor’s instrument—one that helped Armenians remember who they were, still are and help them blaze a trail into the future.
Antranig Kzirian is a leading practitioner of the oud, the ancient fretless string instrument central to Armenian musical identity. He studied with renowned masters and is deeply committed to advancing awareness of the Armenian American oud tradition through performance, teaching, research, writing, and lectures.
A versatile performer and composer, Antranig blends folk, rock, classical, and jazz to reimagine traditional works and create expansive original soundscapes.
Originally from Philadelphia, Antranig is an attorney in the Los Angeles area, with degrees in international relations (Pennsylvania), law (Villanova) and international finance and diplomacy (Columbia). Antranig has also served as executive director (2007-2009), chairperson (2011-2012) and secretary (2024-2025) of the ANCA-WR.
The event is open to the public and all community members.
The presentation will be followed by a question-and-answer session. Attendees are encouraged to reserve the date and time for this discussion.
