Elisabeth Pehlivanian has won high international acclaim for her interpretation of a vast repertoire ranging from the 5th century Armenian chant to the Avant-Garde. The recipient of numerous awards, Ms. Pehlivanian made her European debut in London’s New Art Gallery in 1985 and her Carnegie Hall debut in 1987. She has since given over 150 recitals in some of the most prestigious halls of Europe, Canada, the Middle-East and the United States. The New York Times wrote, “...a consummate recitalist...she made a vivid impression...her voice is strong, agile and pure, with...an exotic, emotive quality.”

Under the batons of Michael Carson, Steven Tucker, Bruno Rigacci (Italy), and George Pehlivanian (France) she sung the roles of Norina, Susanna, Despina, Zerlina, Pamina and the soprano solos of Schubert’s Mass in g minor, Poulenc’s Gloria, Vivaldi’s Gloria, Pergolesis’s Stabat Mater, Mozart’s Requiem, and Handel’s Messiah with the Neumark Ensemble, Pro Musica Ensemble, USC Chamber Orchestra, Carmel Symphony, the Chigiana Camerata (Italy), the Ensemble Orchestrale de Normandie (Paris).

Ms. Pehlivanian has recorded on compact disc the Armenian Catholic Mass (Montreal), the Music of Suni (Ann-Arbor), and the Armenian Romances, Volume 1 & 2 (Los Angeles). Her upcoming schedule includes concerts in Munich, Nuremberg (Sept. 2005), and Cairo (Jan. 2006).

Elisabeth holds her Diploma di Merito from the Academia Chigiana, Siena, Italy, five Certificats de Merite from the Conservatoire Nationale de Musique de Nice, France, where she specialized in French Art Songs with Gerard Souzet. Her Performance Diploma is from the University of Indiana, Bloomington, and her Masters degree is from CSULB.

A past president of MTAC and a board member of NATS, a much sought-after clinician and adjudicator, Ms. Pehlivanian joined the CSULB voice faculty since 1999 and has served on the faculty of UCI and the University of La Verne. She is the co-founder and director of the Ghandia Polytechnic Academy’s summer voice and opera sessions.