Arpine Ghazumyan: On the Road from SMART to Grand Operatic Stages

Knar Babayan

January 29, 2026

SMART

At just three years old, Arpine was already singing into a toy microphone. By six, she was taking voice lessons in her village, and when the COAF SMART Center opened in Lori, she didn’t hesitate. She begged her parents to enroll her right away, drawn especially to the vocal program.

“At the very beginning we could take two programs at a time, and I chose Vocals and English,” recalls Arpine from the village of Dsegh. Her SMARTification later inspired her younger sister and brother, who—following in their older sister’s footsteps—naturally grew into SMARTuks (little SMART students) themselves.

Arpine confesses that, although she does in fact learn something new in every SMART program, the vocal program was truly pivotal for her.

“I was going to become a programmer, I even took classes. But the SMART vocal program forced me to change course and follow my dream,” Arpine shares with a satisfied yet modest smile.

Today, Arpine is a third-year student in the Vocal Department at the Mikayel Tavrizyan State College in Vanadzor, and at the same time she attends guitar classes. Her ultimate goal is to sing on the great opera stages.

Recently, she also took part in the performance of “Uno and Beno” by the SMART Theater Group. It was a great opportunity for her to test her skills in a “real” theatrical production after completing the theater arts program.

“Thanks to this performance, I overcame my stage anxiety and shyness,” Arpine shares.

For Arpine, her favorite highlight from this SMART year was winning in two categories at the annual Vahé & Lucie Art Competition (Vocal and Theater Arts).

What does Yomka the cat need for utter happiness? The warm sun of winter in Lori and a cover of *Old Friend* by her beloved mistress, Arpine.

Voice lessons always begin with vocal warm-ups.

SMART Connects are some of the students’ favorite events. They get to listen to stories from people who have succeeded in a variety of fields.

In the performance of “Uno and Beno”, Arpine appeared on stage in a few different roles. Here she is playing a court attendant.

Curtain up: Arpine is playing the role of one of the lead cats.

Arpine performed at the *Vahé & Lucie* awards ceremony with a cover together with her SMART band friends.

With her prize money, Arpine has already bought the electric guitar she had been dreaming of and is eagerly looking forward to starting the Musical Instruments program.

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