Expressing Emotion Through Music and Movement: Meet Pianist and Ballet Dancer Arshak Barseghyan
- WOMCO
- Jul 23
- 3 min read
Arshak Barseghyan was awarded the Platinum Prize in the Young Artist (Age 14-17) category and Saint-Saëns Special Award for Exceptional Technique of the 2025 Season 2 Saint-Saëns International Music Competition.
Can you introduce yourself and share how you got into music?
My name is Arshak Barseghyan, I’m 16 years old, and I’m from Yerevan, Armenia. I study ballet at the Yerevan State Choreographic College and piano at the Sayat-Nova Music School. Both ballet and music are essential parts of my life — they’re not just hobbies, but passions that help me grow as an artist and as a person.
I started playing piano when I was 7, under the guidance of my teacher Marine Margaryan, who has supported me from the very beginning. At first, I was just curious, but over time, music became something I truly loved. It helps me focus, express emotions, and develop discipline.
What’s special for me is how deeply connected music and ballet are. In classical ballet, music isn’t just background, it drives every movement. The rhythm, phrasing and emotion of the music shape how we dance. Because I study both, I feel that my musical understanding helps me dance with more feeling and accuracy, and my experience in ballet helps me interpret music physically, almost like I’m dancing through the piano. Each art form strengthens the other, and together they give me a fuller way to express myself.
Could you tell us more about your award-winning work? For instance, how did you prepare it, bring it to life, or any interesting stories behind the scenes?
For the Saint-Saëns Music Competition, I performed Debussy’s Prélude from the Pour
le Piano suite. It’s a very energetic and expressive piece with a lot of contrasts. The music moves between strong rhythms, colorful harmonies, and more lyrical, singing moments. You have to stay very focused to show all those differences clearly.
Preparing it took a lot of concentration not only on technique, but also on capturing the mood and style of the music. I tried to bring it to life with feeling and imagination, making
each part of the piece feel clear and emotional. It was a challenge, but I really enjoyed
exploring all the different characters in the music.
Winning the Platinum Prize and the Saint-Saëns Special Award for Exceptional
Technique meant a lot to me. It encouraged me to keep growing as a musician
Would you like to share your experience participating in our competition and anyone you'd like to thank (such as mentors, supporters or other team members)?
The Saint-Saëns Music Competition was a very special experience for me. I’m thankful to the organizers and jury for creating such a professional and inspiring event. I want to thank my teacher, Ms. Marine Margaryan, who has supported and guided me from the beginning of my piano journey. I’m also grateful to my family, especially my mom, for always encouraging me in everything I do, both in music and ballet.
Biography
Arshak Barseghyan is a 16-year-old Armenian pianist and ballet dancer from Yerevan. Born into an artistic family, Arshak grew up surrounded by the world of classical music and theatre. His mother, Sona Arustamyan, was a prima ballerina (now teacher-choreographer) of the National Opera and Ballet Theatre of Armenia, and his father, Avetis Barseghyan, is the Chief Stage Designer of the same theatre. From early childhood Arshak was immersed in rehearsals, performances and backstage life, developing a deep love for both classical music and dance.
He began dancing at the age of 5 and, at 10, was accepted into Yerevan State Choreographic College, where he began his professional ballet training. Starting September 2025 Arshak will continue his ballet education at the John Cranko Ballet School in Stuttgart, Germany — one of the world’s most renowned ballet institutions.
Alongside dance, Arshak began studying music at age 7, initially playing both piano and harp. But after starting professional ballet training, he decided to focus on his two true
passions: piano and ballet.
Arshak studies piano at the Sayat-Nova Music School in Yerevan under the guidance of Marine Margaryan, who has mentored him from the very beginning of his musical journey. He has performed in numerous concerts, festivals, and international competitions, earning top prizes in both disciplines. His deep dedication, love for learning, and passion for artistic expression continue to shape him into a well-rounded and expressive young performer, committed to pursuing both ballet and music at a high level.
Learn more about Arshak by following his YouTube channel:
