CBC Music Contest – Vote for My Friend Tatevik Sarkisyan

Vote for Drellander – You can vote once a day.
Biographical Info — Copy/Pasted –  Credit to: CBC Searchlight competition – Tatevik Sarkisyan

Tatevik Sarkisyan is a singer/songwriter/producer/performer based in Toronto, Canada. Her main genres are pop and jazz but she also writes dance music, Latin beats, rock’n’roll and country.

Drellander was born Tatevik Sarkisyan from Armenian parents in Moscow. She began her musical journey at the age of 6 as a choir lead and piano performer at school concerts.

She came to Canada at the age of 16 and became known in the Montreal local community for performing a classical repertoire in 8 languages. At 19 she developed a passion for song-writing and presented to a small audience her first musical composition “Time”.

The singer/songwriter/producer now has more than 160 written songs behind her in a variety of styles.

Tatevik has received great reviews for her work including praise from tenor and McGill voice coach Franco Tenelli who says: “One of Tateviks greatest gifts is a beautiful voice that can be used in almost any style of music including classical and pop. In addition she is also a composer and excellent songwriter. This versatility is a unique gift itself and ensures us we have a real talent.”

At 24 Tatevik moved to Toronto and took on the artist name “Drellander” which sounds like “dreamlander”. In 2004 Tatevik collaborated with writer/film director Robert Wilson on a short film A Dying Fall that aired on CBC in July 2006 and won first place at WorldFest Houston. Tatevik’s multiple credits for this film include art direction, craft services, make-up and wardrobe, contract management as well as playing a small part in the movie. Tatevik worked with Robert at Tamerlane Productions until 2009.

In 2011 she recorded her song Oasis with indie music producer and Indie Week judge Dave Thomson of Digital Underdog Productions and released it on iTunes and Amazon via CD Baby. She also produced a music video for the song (directed and edited by Robert Wilson) that is now available on YouTube.

Tatevik launched Drellander Productions in 2012 and is currently looking for funding for her album. She secured a non-exclusive worldwide publishing deal for her songs with the Canadian publisher Jan Cooper Publishing after Jan Cooper represented her at Midem 2012 in Cannes. In the same year she had a performance at the prestigious Mod Club in Toronto organized by Landmark Media. Her song Oasis was promoted with a 2 week radio blast in Canada and US by Avala DSF (currently under Five2Eight umbrella). In February 2013 she was approached and signed with A & R Select to promote her music on radio, in magazines,TV shows, films and commercials in the US. The week of Aug 12, 2013 “Oasis” had spins on CBC Radio. It played on the CBC Radio programs “Mainstreet” (P.E.I.) and “The Bridge” (Windsor, Ontario).

Oasis is the first single from Drellander’s much anticipated debut album. As A & R Select says in their press release: ” Oasis is a metaphor for finding true love. Its message is inspiring, hopeful and creates a deep connection due to its relatable subject matter. This single has an arrangement of that of a movie soundtrack. It incorporates the depth of her skills, the passion of her writing, the beauty of her voice and has a mesmerizing effect on anyone who has the privilege to experience her music.”

In addition to being trained in music and having collaborated with some of the greatest classical voice/piano/composition teachers and performers such as Tamara Goulina (U of T), Eduardo del Campo (McGill, San Francisco Opera), Franco Tenelli (McGill, Metropolitan Opera), Vania Angelova (University of Montreal), Alexandre Solopov (McGill) and Nina Larionova Shishlova (Bolshoi Theatre), Tatevik has also studied science at McGill University and is a graduate of Touro College business school. She now teaches music and voice and her youngest student is 5 years old.

Tatevik is currently working on a few projects. Recently she co-wrote a ballad with producer/sound engineer Sean Michael Paddison called “I love you anyway” that is to be recorded and released this year. Sean has worked on a wide range of projects, including Grammy-winning, JUNO-winning, billboard charting singles and worldwide airplay. He is currently working with Chris Hau. Drellander also plans to record 3 of her original songs: a pop/classical duet “I can see a lifetime (when I look into your eyes)” with renown opera singer Franco Tenelli, a dance hit “Let the rain fall” with Montreal based producer/sound engineer Michael Makhin and another ballad “I’m so in love with you” with Toronto based producer/songwriter/manager/mentor Peter Linseman. Peter has written, produced & released dozens of national & international singles over the past few decades . He is managing the careers of TV Star/country pop artist Kate Todd and dance pop artist Stephanie Braganza. Peter made international history by writing/producing We Will Fly for Laure Shang, a successful single in China. He has also written & produced for Tanvi Shah (India – 2009 Grammy & Oscar Award winner for Jai Ho from Slumdog Millionaire), international dance pop artist Sarina Paris, international pop & Latin artist Rosita Stone. Peter is a Country Music Association of Ontario (CMAO) founding director, SIPO Foundation founding director and is an Accredited Juror for FACTOR.

Tatevik says: “I believe that my life purpose is to make people smile. Music is the perfect language to communicate emotions and share the love I have for people and life in my heart. Music is universal. It’s the language of feelings and it’s the only language that can break cultural barriers.”

This year Tatevik is participating in CBC Radio’s Searchlight Competition for Canada’s Best New Artist! Voting starts March 31st, 2015. Searchlight Link http://r3.ca/7lpK

Music Video for Oasis at http://www.youtube.com/drellander

Press Release & Demos: http://www.sonicbids.com/drellander Press/ Audio

Press Coverage http://www.drellander.com – Touro Mercury Article

Searchlight Link: http://r3.ca/7lpK

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/drellander

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/drellander

iTunes Link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/oasis-single/

Jango Radio: http://www.jango.com/music/Drellander/?l=0

Influences: Beatles, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Ella Fitzerald, Nat & King Cole, Diana Krall, Gloria Estefan, Celine Dion, Patricia Kaas, Modern Talking, Pet Shop Boys, Europe, Whitney Houston, Sarah McLahlan, Tori Amos, Mark Anthony, Laima Vaikule, Calibri, Brian Adams, Queen, John Bon Jovi, Belinda Carlisle, Lauren Christy, Leann Rimes, The Pretenders, The Righteous Brothers, Depeshe Mode, Roxette.

Favorite songs: The time of my life; If I could spend my lifetime loving you; Color of the night; Circle in the sand; I will always love you, You’re always on my mind, Yesterday, I’ll stand by you, Black Velvet, Mercy, Someone like you, Power of love.

In addition to being trained in music and having collaborated with some of the greatest classical voice/piano/composition teachers and performers such as Tamara Goulina (U of T), Eduardo del Campo (McGill, San Francisco Opera), Franco Tenelli (McGill, Metropolitan Opera), Vania Angelova (University of Montreal), Alexandre Solopov (McGill) and Nina Larionova Shishlova (Bolshoi Theatre), Tatevik has also studied science at McGill University and is a graduate of Touro College business school. She now teaches piano and voice and her youngest student is 5 years old. She is also trying herself as a life coach by sharing inspirational & educational messages & various self help techniques with her friends.

Influences

Celine Dion
Mariah Carey
Whitney Houston
Adele
Lady Antebellum
Mark Anthony
Regina Belle
Brian Adams
Sarah McLahlan
Leann Rymes

http://music.cbc.ca/#!/artists/Drellander

Tatevik will definitely appreciate your vote.

Thank you!

The 2013 Armenian Toronto ACC Summerfest Was A Great Success

This year from July 12, until the 14th, 2013 The Armenian Community Center of Toronto held a huge party under the tent for the Armenian community and this year was the 17th season. This year like from the year our Summerfest have begun, they have become a great success from bringing many known Armenian and International Performers from Dancers, to Singers, Comedians, Radio Broadcasters and so many more surprises that occur each year. The Armenian Summerfest is held at the Armenian Community Youth Center Parking lot.

This year many Armenian singers from Los Angeles, Lebanon, Cambridge Ontario, Montreal, and other places attended and sang at our Summerfest and they are Ararad Aharonian, Khoren Mouradian, Onnig Dinkjian our folk Traditional Singer, Kevork Artinian, Armenchik, and Andy Madadian with their bands that graced our stage with their incredible and beautiful talent in our Armenian Culture singing a variety of songs from slow to fast and while the crowd was dancing traditional Armenian Dances as well as just dancing with family, friends and enjoying our time with our Armenian community. Some of the performers also did a duet on stage as well which blew the crowd away and people were dancing like no tomorrow. We were then Broadcasted live from our Radio Station present and that is Setrak Garabedian who traveled from Montreal, and his radio station is called TrikTrak With Setrak and he updated and tuned those people who were unable to join at the Summerfest across the world so they too can enjoy with us.

The purpose of the Armenian Summerfest is to bring the Armenian community together, to strengthen our bonds, to make new friends, to reuniting people who have not seen each other in a while, and nowadays people meet each other on Facebook and make friends on the social networking site and people connect in person together for the first time or many times before and it makes Summerfest to be a smaller world when people reunite together. People of All ages were in attendance at the Summerfest which made us into one big happy family of our Community. a few thousand people were in attendance this year.

There were many vendors and traditional cultural Armenian and Middle Eastern Food and Desserts for people to enjoy while at the summerfest, there was also a Kids area where there was deflatable playing centers, Along with Cotton Candy, Ice Cream, and So many things to do for people of all ages.

I am glad that I attended all 3 nights and I got to reunite with my Friend whom I call a sister from Montreal, I got to see my friend from Boston who I had not seen since last year, and I saw all my facebook friends and some I met for the first time. It was so incredible and It was special time. I had such a great time and My face was always smiling and I was just so happy all around.

I would like to personally thank the Organizing committee of the Annual Summerfest and I appreciate all the hard work, commitment, dedication, nights and days that are put to pull of a huge event with renting of the big tent, organizing and planning the performers, the food, the communications, advertising committees and so many more things that go into planning an event. Thanks again and I am excited for the 18th year in 2014. Thanks for a fun weekend. Until next time.

Introducing Adiss Harmandian – An Extraordinary Incredible Talent

Hello, I am here today to introduce to you an Armenian Legendary Singer and performer an extraordinary talent and incredible voice, a dedicated and devoted Armenian who shines to the world and the Armenian community. Mr. Adiss Harmandian was born in Beirut Lebanon on January 14, 1945. Adiss Has been awarded many prestigious awards for his efforts, excellency and dedication to the Armenians and the communities across the world.

Adiss Harmandian has been awarded by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I of the Catholicos of Armenian Cilicia the highest Armenian Diaspora religious award, the “Mesrob Mashdots Medallion” (with the degree of Prince) title for his 40 years of work

• In 2005 he also received lifetime achievement award by the Armenian Music Awards and a certificate from the Los Angeles Council members for lifetime achievement.
• Upon the proposal of France’s Armenian community, then mayor of Paris Jacques Chirac honored the popular Armenian singer with a medal for recognition of his contributions.

You can listen to his music here even if you do not understand Armenian you can hear his voice, and the way his voice ignites and touches your heart and among everything else.

http://www.haykakanmusic.com/playlists/adiss-harmandian

Adiss still continues to this day to sing, and grace the large crowds. He has his own restaurant in Lebanon called Adiss Signature. He owns a baklava shop in Encino in California. God bless Our Lovely Adiss Harmandian and may God continue to give him strength, energy and the power to do what he loves is to sing and to perform for everyone. May God bless him always.

Beyonce’s Lip Syncing During President Obama’s Inauguration – No Big Deal

A few days ago during President Barack Obama’s Inauguration celebrations that took place in Washington DC, There were several performers, floats, parades and honouring Martin Luther King on his day, President and First lady dance, among parties, gatherings, and everything else, and it was such a beautiful day honouring The presidents second term into Office. I wish him all the best and congratulations on being the USA President once again, However something has been in the media that I am not really thrilled about and that is poking fun at Beyonce and her Lip Syncing. I know that it is not right to Lip Sync, but that shouldn’t give the right for people to really concentrate on what she did during the ceremonies and the celebration. It doesn’t really matter if she lip synced or not.

Now this day in age the media is so revolved around really pointless things that happen and what celebrities do and how they do it and sometimes its just way too much to really concentrate on bogus and pointless things that cause drama, and that cause the public and media to go haywire and memes, postings, statuses, tweets and other things that are not good and its not cool. I think this world is facing a lot more challenges, problems and issues that media must take control on. Not some Lip syncing performance. Lets focus on getting guns out of our schools, streets, and out of peoples reach, as President Obama had stated and in our society, lets focus on putting 0 Tolerance on bullying, lets focus on stopping wars, lets focus on important things that our society is in dire need of a makeover with all these terrible issues going on, and pointless and terrible crimes committed against humanity. That is what we should focus on changing, fixing and raising awareness on. Not when a celebrity lip syncs. It is very ridiculous and absolutely absurd. The media is what makes celebrities on their flaws and on their highest and lowest moments and when the media gets too involved in their lives, that is what gets them their paycheck to cover news stories that are absolutely ridiculous no matter what it is, no matter how it sounds.

I think it is time to leave these things alone and do something about society, violence, and serious issues. It is very important. Beyonce, don’t worry you did an excellent job and you are an incredible, talented performer and I support you every step of the way. Job well done and congratulations. It was a lovely inauguration. All the best to the next 4 years in office and lets make these changes on society.