I was born in Gyumri, Armenia, and I began my musical journey with the violin at the Komitas Music School. I started composing at age 12 and studied composition and violin at the Kara-Mourza Music School in Gyumri under Azat Shishian. In 1976 I moved to Canada to pursue composition at the Conservatoire de musique du Québec à Montréal, where the world-renowned Gilles Tremblay, impressed by my Armenian-inspired creativity, predicted a bright future for me as a composer. I completed my Master’s in Composition in 1982, winning a Second Prize in composition with Ararat, a symphonic poem for SATB choir, three soloists, large orchestra, piano, organ, and ondes Martenot. Since 1985 I have been an Associate Composer of the Canadian Music Centre. My works have been performed by Canadian orchestras, broadcast on Radio-Canada, and released on labels such as Atma Classique, SNE, and Radio Canada; they draw inspiration from Armenian folk songs and liturgical music. Offstage, I have contributed to Montréal's musical life as an artistic assistant at the Montréal Opera Festival_Phone details not available. Sign in: https://www.twine.net/signup_), personnel manager at the Orchestre Métropolitain_Phone details not available. Sign in: https://www.twine.net/signup_), and music coordinator at the Orford Festival_Phone details not available. Sign in: https://www.twine.net/signup_). My works are available online at musicaunica.com.

Petros Shoujounian

I was born in Gyumri, Armenia, and I began my musical journey with the violin at the Komitas Music School. I started composing at age 12 and studied composition and violin at the Kara-Mourza Music School in Gyumri under Azat Shishian. In 1976 I moved to Canada to pursue composition at the Conservatoire de musique du Québec à Montréal, where the world-renowned Gilles Tremblay, impressed by my Armenian-inspired creativity, predicted a bright future for me as a composer. I completed my Master’s in Composition in 1982, winning a Second Prize in composition with Ararat, a symphonic poem for SATB choir, three soloists, large orchestra, piano, organ, and ondes Martenot. Since 1985 I have been an Associate Composer of the Canadian Music Centre. My works have been performed by Canadian orchestras, broadcast on Radio-Canada, and released on labels such as Atma Classique, SNE, and Radio Canada; they draw inspiration from Armenian folk songs and liturgical music. Offstage, I have contributed to Montréal's musical life as an artistic assistant at the Montréal Opera Festival_Phone details not available. Sign in: https://www.twine.net/signup_), personnel manager at the Orchestre Métropolitain_Phone details not available. Sign in: https://www.twine.net/signup_), and music coordinator at the Orford Festival_Phone details not available. Sign in: https://www.twine.net/signup_). My works are available online at musicaunica.com.

Available to hire

I was born in Gyumri, Armenia, and I began my musical journey with the violin at the Komitas Music School. I started composing at age 12 and studied composition and violin at the Kara-Mourza Music School in Gyumri under Azat Shishian. In 1976 I moved to Canada to pursue composition at the Conservatoire de musique du Québec à Montréal, where the world-renowned Gilles Tremblay, impressed by my Armenian-inspired creativity, predicted a bright future for me as a composer.

I completed my Master’s in Composition in 1982, winning a Second Prize in composition with Ararat, a symphonic poem for SATB choir, three soloists, large orchestra, piano, organ, and ondes Martenot. Since 1985 I have been an Associate Composer of the Canadian Music Centre. My works have been performed by Canadian orchestras, broadcast on Radio-Canada, and released on labels such as Atma Classique, SNE, and Radio Canada; they draw inspiration from Armenian folk songs and liturgical music. Offstage, I have contributed to Montréal’s musical life as an artistic assistant at the Montréal Opera Festival_Phone details not available. Sign in: https://www.twine.net/signup_), personnel manager at the Orchestre Métropolitain_Phone details not available. Sign in: https://www.twine.net/signup_), and music coordinator at the Orford Festival_Phone details not available. Sign in: https://www.twine.net/signup_). My works are available online at musicaunica.com.

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Language

Armenian
Fluent
French
Advanced
English
Advanced

Work Experience

Musical Coordinator at Orford Music Festival
December 31, 1992 - September 6, 2025
Coordinated musical programming, rehearsals, and artist scheduling for festival seasons, ensuring cohesive performances and collaboration between artists and ensembles.
Personnel Manager at Orchestre Métropolitain de Montréal
December 31, 1990 - September 6, 2025
Managed personnel logistics for a major Montreal orchestra, including staffing, contracts, and artist relations, contributing to smooth operations and classical performances.
Assistant Artistic Director at Montreal International Opera Festival
December 31, 1988 - September 6, 2025
Assisted in realizing the opera Aida at the Olympic Stadium, coordinating production elements, rehearsals, and artistic logistics.
Music Teacher at Nareg Armenian School, Montreal
December 31, 1988 - September 6, 2025
Taught music theory and practice to students, fostering musical literacy and appreciation in a school setting.
Choir Director at Notre-Dame de Nareg Armenian Catholic Church, Montreal
December 31, 1996 - September 6, 2025
Directed the choir Alemshah, prepared repertoire, led rehearsals, and conducted performances.
Music Teacher (Saturday school) at Sourp-Hagop Armenian School, Montreal
December 31, 1985 - September 6, 2025
Taught music to Saturday Armenian School students, supporting cultural education and musical development.
Choir Director at Armenian Cultural Association "Hamazkaïn"
December 31, 1991 - September 6, 2025
Directed the choir Knar, organizing rehearsals and performances.
Musical Coordinator at Orford Music Festival
January 1, 1992 - September 6, 2025
Coordinated musical programming, logistics, and artist scheduling for the festival.
Personnel Manager at Orchestre Métropolitain de Montréal
January 1, 1990 - September 6, 2025
Managed personnel logistics, contracts, scheduling, and artist relations for the orchestra.
Assistant Artistic Director at Montreal International Opera Festival
January 1, 1988 - September 6, 2025
Assisted in artistic planning and execution, including realization of the opera Aida at the Olympic Stadium, Montreal.
Music Teacher at Nareg Armenian School, Montreal
January 1, 1988 - September 6, 2025
Taught music to students and supported musical programs.
Choir Director "Alemshah" at Notre -Dame de Nareg Armenian Catholic Church, Montreal
January 1, 1996 - September 6, 2025
Directed the church choir Alemshah, overseeing musical liturgy and choral programming.
Music Teacher (Saturday school) at Sourp -Hagop Armenian School, Montreal
January 1, 1985 - September 6, 2025
Saturday music instruction for Armenian community.
Choir Director "Knar" at Armenian Cultural Association "Hamazkaïn"
January 1, 1991 - September 6, 2025
Directed the Hamazkaïn choir Knar as part of community cultural activities.
Artistic Assistant at Festival International d’opéra de Montréal
January 1, 1987 - January 1, 1988
Assisted in artistic operations for the Montreal Opera Festival.
Personnel Manager at Orchestre Métropolitain de Montréal
January 1, 1988 - January 1, 1990
Managed personnel for the Montréal Metropolitan Orchestra.
Music Coordinator at Festival Orford
January 1, 1990 - January 1, 1992
Coordinated music for Festival Orford.

Education

Certificate in Violin at Komitas Music School, Gumri, Armenia
January 1, 1965 - December 31, 1972
Diploma in Violin and Composition at Kara Mourza Music College, Gumri, Armenia
January 1, 1972 - December 31, 1976
Bachelor's in Composition and Musical Analysis at Conservatoire de Musique du Québec, Montreal
January 1, 1976 - December 31, 1980
Master's in Composition at Conservatoire de Musique du Québec, Montreal
January 1, 1980 - December 31, 1982
Violin studies at Komitas Music School, Gumri, Armenia
January 1, 1965 - January 1, 1972
Violin and composition studies at Kara Mourza Music College, Gumri, Armenia
January 1, 1972 - January 1, 1976
Bachelor's in Composition and Musical Analysis at Conservatoire de Musique du Québec, Montreal
January 1, 1976 - January 1, 1980
Master's in Composition at Conservatoire de Musique du Québec, Montreal
January 1, 1980 - January 1, 1982
Master of Music in Composition at Conservatoire de musique du Québec, Montreal
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 1982
Maîtrise en Composition musicale at Conservatoire de musique du Québec à Montréal
January 1, 1976 - January 1, 1982

Qualifications

Certified Composer
January 1, 1985 - September 6, 2025
SOCAN (Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers of Canada)
January 1, 1985 - September 6, 2025
Canadian League of Composers (LCC)
January 1, 1985 - September 6, 2025
SODRAC (Canadian Reprographic Rights Organization)
January 1, 1996 - September 6, 2025
Certified Composer at the Canadian Music Centre
January 1, 1985 - September 6, 2025
Second Prize in Composition
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 1982
Associate Composer
January 1, 1985 - February 2, 2026

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Non-Profit Organization, Professional Services, Other