Rafael Mkrtchyan

Rafael Mkrtchyan is a top-level player (duduk, shvi, zurna, clarinet), a soloist of the 'Nairi' dance ensemble, the artistic director of the drummer ensembles 'Erzrum' and 'Voice of Hamshen', and the founder of the ethnic group 'Prayag'.

Born on 10 October 1981 in Yerevan. He graduated with honours from the Arno Babajanyan music college. He worked at the Avet Gabrielyan music school and played in the police orchestra of the Republic of Armenia. Since 2016 he has organised the Armenian folk holiday 'Tarendes' in Sochi.

On 6 December 2018 Rafael gave a solo concert, 'Sing, My Soul, Duduk', dedicated to the victims of the earthquake in Armenia. The musician has taken part in the Moscow International Duduk Festival for many years, including at the Kremlin.