Sergei Avakyan

Sergei Avakyan, born November 10, 1987 in Yerevan Armenia. From the start he showed interest in music until it got to the point that he wouldn’t go to sleep unless his parents turned the boom box on. At the age of two he started playing an Armenian hand drum, called the “Dhol.” At the age of three he created his own drum set by taking pots and pans and placing them in the order of a drum set. When his dad, Armen Avakian, realized that Sergei had talent for playing the drums, he went ahead and purchased a seven piece mini drum set. After practicing for a while, Sergei decided to perform at his pre-school event, which amazed the teachers and made the kids dance. In 1994 Sergei’s father decided to take his family and move to the United States. Ever since then, they have been living in Glendale, California. In 1997 Sergei got to meet his mentor, Jacob Armen. Jacob’s father, Albert Armen, who had taught music for all his life and had decided to retire. After meeting Sergei and his family, Albert decided to take nine year old Avakyan under his wings, and started teaching him the drums. Mr. Armen was pretty amazed because Sergei was not only a good student but an amazing child with a lot of understanding and full of respect. Ever since, Sergei has been practicing with Albert without missing a lesson, and has performed in various places. Now he has successfully recorded his first album, Drum Fusion. “I taught thirty-eight students of which thirty-seven were already recording in studios, and with my thirty-eighth student who is my son, Jacob Armen, and with whom I left my mark in this world. When I met Sergei and his family, I decided to do whatever it took to make Sergei a professional musician. He makes a statement, not only because of his playing wonderfully, but because of his personality as a youngster, and that is we need in today’s world.” - Albert Armen