ACC is deeply saddened by the recent passing of pianist, music producer, musicologist, and music pedagogue Şahan Arzruni (ACC 1999) on October 21, 2026, at the age of 83. Interested in the musical roots of his Armenian heritage, Arzruni recorded an Armenian piano music anthology and release other LPs with the same purpose. Alongside his own work, he also contributed in co-authoring several editions of the New Grove Dictionary and the Dictionary of the Middle Ages.

Arzruni studied at the Juiliard School in New York, and the city became his home. He performed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art with a historic Steinway piano. He also performed at the White House, European royal courts, and participated in concert tours and TV shows.

As part of his scholarly work, he gave an Armenian liturgical chants lecture at in Washington, D.C., as part of Library of Congress' request. 

Arzruni's original ACC grant in 1999 brought him to China from New York to teach piano, design curriculum and assist in the development of the piano department at the Wuhan Conservatory.

In 2008, Arzruni was named an honorary professor for the Komitas State Conservatory of Yerevan, then in 2015, he was awarded for his outstanding work at the Movses Khorenatsi Medal of the Republic of Armenia.

We are infinitely proud to have supported Arzruni and his infinite talent and hard work in furthering cultural exchange one musical note at a time. He will be missed, and we extend our sincere condolences to his family and loved ones. 

To learn more about Şahan's life, click here. To view Şahan's obituary on The Amernian Mirror-Spectator, click here.  

Image courtesy of The Armenian Mirror-Spectator.