Edward Manukyan is a Los Angeles-based Armenian composer of a wide and fast-growing repertory of orchestral and chamber music. He has been a recipient of scholarships and academic acclaim both in Armenia and United States, and holds a Master of Music Degree in Composition from the California State University, Los Angeles. Besides working on new compositions, Manukyan is conducting an extensive study in the field of ethnomusicology, exploring the ethic folk music of Armenia, Georgia, Russia and American jazz.Born and raised in Armenia (then USSR), Manukyan did not develop his interests in music until his late teens. In 1997 he won state scholarship to study English language and later psychology at the University after V. Brusov in Yerevan and at the same time began teaching himself to play the piano and guitar. Advancing his musical skills rapidly and with a devotion, he soon appeared as a permanent member with the Armenian "Renaissance" Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Tigran Padaryan, and wrote material for its repertoire.Upon moving to the United States in 2002, Manukyan studied with Rowan Taylor (composition) and Stephen Piazza (conducting) and later continued his studies with John Kennedy and James Newton at the California State University, Los Angeles. Manukyan's works were performed by the Los Angeles Symphonic Winds, the Valley Brass Ensemble and by solo musicians from United States and abroad. His work has been publicized by TV and newspapers, including the LA Times and many local papers in Southern California.Manukyan's style is based on Armenian folklore elements and contemporary compositional techniques. Although he has never quoted a folk song, the glorification of folk music and its synthesis with modern art is the very essence of all his work. His main output is in orchestral music, but recently there is some tendency towards chamber works, such as the Trio for Clarinet, Violin and Piano , composed in 2007.
