Dr. Nuné Melikian

Hailed as a violinist who has “proven the theory of self-actualization” (Strings Magazine), Dr. Nuné Melikian is an internationally recognized artist, educator, and scholar dedicated to expanding the horizons of classical music. Through her dynamic performances, groundbreaking research, and commitment to education, she has established herself as a visionary in the field. From her Carnegie Hall debut at Stern Auditorium to sharing the stage with Jimmy Buffett, Nuné brings an unyielding spirit and artistic depth to every performance.

She has appeared at Walt Disney Hall, the United Nations Headquarters, Place des Arts (Montreal), Palais Montcalm (Quebec City), and the International House of Music in Moscow, among many other prestigious venues worldwide. Her ability to bridge cultures through music has made her a sought-after soloist and collaborator, performing in Russia, Canada, the United States, Mexico, Germany, Austria, Denmark, Italy, France, Armenia, and the French West Indies.

In addition to her classical career, Nuné embraces an unconventional approach to concertizing, performing in diverse settings that challenge the traditional boundaries of classical music. Her collaborations range from chamber ensembles to contemporary cross-genre projects, allowing her to engage with a broad spectrum of musical expressions.

A leading specialist in the music of the Caucasus, Nuné has dedicated her career to reviving and promoting the works of underrepresented composers. Continuing her scholarly work, she published the first English-language book on Arno Babadjanian, the celebrated Armenian composer whose legacy remains one of the most significant in the post-Soviet musical landscape but virtually invisible to the Western audience. Through this work, she provides an in-depth exploration of Babadjanian’s artistry, his struggles within the Soviet regime, and his impact on Armenian and international music. Since 2019, she is the North American Representative of the Arno Babadjanian International Foundation.

Nuné’s research has been recognized by academic and cultural institutions around the world. She has presented lectures and performances at Stanford University, NAASR in conjunction with Harvard co-chair of Armenian Studies, American University of Armenia, Columbia University, the University of Arizona, University of Alberta, Wayne State University, the Naregatsi Arts Institute, and the American University of Armenia, engaging audiences with her unique expertise in the musical traditions of the Caucasus.

In addition to her work on Babadjanian, Nuné has published poetry in Russian, which was later translated into Armenian by the Writer’s Union of Armenia in 2016. She also published a book of original poems in English and French languages. Her literary voice reflects the same passion and cultural awareness that define her musical interpretations.

Nuné is the founder and artistic director of the Hidden Treasure International Project, a groundbreaking initiative that combines research, performance, and education to bring rarely performed works to the forefront. Since its inception in 2012, the project has led to significant discoveries in the field of classical music, showcasing composers whose works had been overlooked or forgotten.

In 2017, Nuné released her critically acclaimed album “Hidden Treasure”, a collection of little-known works by Armenian composers, accompanied by original program notes. The album received widespread recognition and was described as a “love letter to Armenia” (CBC Radio).

Building on the success of this project, she co-founded the Hidden Treasure Festival in New York in 2024, which features a concert series dedicated to rare repertoire and a summer academy designed to provide musical opportunities for students from underserved communities. Through these initiatives, Nuné has cultivated a new appreciation for lesser-known musical traditions while fostering the next generation of musicians. The Festival was honored with the Creative Engagement Award from Lower Manhattan Cultural Council.                                                                       

As a soloist, Nuné has performed with numerous distinguished orchestras, including the Brooklyn Chamber Orchestra, Sinfonia Toronto, Senior Orchestra of New York, Orquestra Filarmonia (Mexico), Orchestre Symphonique de l’Université de Montréal, Gnessin Virtuosi, Orchestre Symphonique d’Estuaire, and Moscow State Chamber Orchestra. Her ability to seamlessly blend technical brilliance with emotional depth has made her a favorite among audiences and critics alike.   

She has been a featured artist at major international festivals, including:  Montreal Chamber Music Festival, Montreal Bach Festival, Festival Classica (Montreal), Musical Armenia, Strad for Lunch (New York), Water Island Festival (St. Thomas), St. Barth Music Festival (Saint Barthelemy), 1000 violons de Maurienne (France), Festival du Monde Arabe (Montreal).

Her performances have also been highlighted in media outlets such as Strings Magazine, Huffington Post Online, La Scena Musicale, the Armenian Mirror-Spectator, and the Armenian Weekly. She has been a guest on multiple music and culture podcasts and radio stations.

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Nuné believes in future of music and in advocating for its accessibility. She has been a relentless educator, providing quality music education to the underserved communities in the public schools in the Bronx, initiating and curating orchestra programs.  She has also worked extensively with young orchestral musicians, giving masterclasses for the Empire State Orchestra, Greater Connecticut Youth Orchestras, Greater Miami Youth Orchestra, Orquestra Filarmonía (Xalapa, Mexico).

Nuné’s playing has been recognized with numerous international awards, including Waldo Mayo Competition (2016, Winner), Canada Council for the Arts Competition (2015), Prix D’Europe (2015, Best Interpretation of a Québec Piece), Andrea Postacchini International Competition (2004, IV Prize), I International David Oistrakh Competition (2005). She is also a recepient of McGill Graduate Excellence Fellowship, Paul and Marie Gélinas Bursary (Montreal), Urartu Fellowship & Vladimir Spivakov Foundation (Moscow).

Born in Siberia to a family of medical PhDs, Nuné began playing violin at the age of six and made her orchestral debut at seven. She studied at Gnessin Music College, earning an Honors Diploma, and continued her education at the Moscow State Conservatory. She later completed a Master’s degree at the University of Montreal under the guidance of Albert Markov and Vladimir Landsman, with occasional consultations from Shmuel Ashkenasi and Andres Cardenes. She earned her Doctorate from McGill University, graduating with distinction (CUM GPA 3.95).     

Inspiring young musicians through her teaching and mentorship, Nuné is an Adjunct Lecturer at Yeshiva University and a violin and chamber music coach at the Kaufman Music Center (Special Music School and Lucy Moses School, New York).                 

Nuné performs on a Grancino 1706 violin and a Claude Auguste Thomassin bow, generously loaned by Group Canimex.   

She is a vivid runner, morning coffee enthusiast, and resident of Upper East Side.