"Playing for Change" classical music festival was organized jointly by the Leadership School & Best Western Congress Hotel to support the advancement of classical music in Armenia & encourage young performers.

Armenian Children's Choir (Vayots Dzor) is welcoming the participants.

Musical school students are performing within the competition program.

We want to thank the festival judges:

• Vahan Artsruni (singer, composer)
• Armen Babakhanyan (Honorary Artist of Armenia, Piano Faculty Dean of the Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory)
• Armen Harutyunyan (Director of Yerevan State Musical-Pedagogical College after A. Babajanyan, professor at the Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory)
• Vahan Mardirossian (Music Director & Principal Conductor of the National Chamber Orchestra of Armenia)
• Hayk Melikyan (pianist, Honorary Artist of Armenia)
• Armen Mesropyan (Honorary Artist of Armenia, Concertmaster of the cellists at the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra)

Upcoming generation of classical music performers

We want to thank the festival partners for reimbursing yearly tuition fees of the best participants:

Open meeting was organized with Zareh Sinanyan (mayor, Glendale [USA]) with the topic of "Development perspectives of the Diaspora and Armenia".

Dr. Bruce Boghosian (president, American University of Armenia) is sharing his insights on building effective relationships in the workplace, and showing the AUA model.

The youth are getting acquainted with the World Bank's research on the development perspectives and challenges in the region.

Dr. Tatul Manaseryan (director, Alternative Research Center) is presenting his thoughts on common challenges and cooperation perspectives for Georgia & Armenia.

Diran Bagdadian (founder, Gourmet Dourme) is sharing his experience of establishing & developing a business.

Introduction to the White Castle Dental Medical Clinic's business model

ProCredit Bank: business development orientation & long-term partnership

Comparative introduction to the analyses & programs for Armenia's development by the Ministry of Economy

Introduction to the Government's activities on the priority directions of development & regional cooperation

Forming connections & discussing joint projects with the Leadership School students

Ralph Yirikian (general manager, VivaCell MTS) is emphasizing the importance of the value system & persistence to achieve success

Vahagn Poghosyan (co-founder, Instigate) is analyzing the company's business development, and showing current innovative projects.