AWWA Podcast: Armenian Voices

Born in Gyumri and raised in North Carolina, Davit Melikian has spent his life navigating the space between heritage and homeland. A custom home builder, entrepreneur, and devoted Armenian-American advocate, Davit channels his belief in community into action, both locally and nationally.

As the North Carolina State Chair for the Armenian Assembly of America, he works tirelessly to elevate Armenian voices in U.S. politics, champion civic engagement, and ensure that issues impacting Armenians are not overlooked. His journey reflects resilience, responsibility, and a deep commitment to justice.

In this episode, Davit shares his story...

Born in the village of Sardarapat, Marine Jarchafjian has shaped her life around language, culture, and the enduring heartbeat of Armenian identity. After graduating from Yerevan State University of Languages and Social Studies, she taught English before discovering her love for guiding visitors through Armenia’s landscapes and stories.

Marine is deeply devoted to authentic Armenian national dance, joining the “Vahagn’’ ethnic dance group in 2019, a space where she honors her heritage through movement, community, and ancestral memory.

Her life changed profoundly when she and her husband, Shunt, moved to Artsakh, where they lived for three ye...

Born in Gyumri and trained in Yerevan, Lilit Movsisyan uses storytelling as a way to document and preserve what others often overlook. Her first book, A Mother’s Conversation, shares the intimate story of Edgar Aghababyan, a fallen hero of the 2020 Artsakh War, with all proceeds donated to his family.

Lilit then turned to documentary filmmaking, debuting with “And Hovhannes Came,” a tribute to Armenia’s National Hero, Maestro Hovhannes Chekijyan. The film was screened internationally and earned the “Etalon of the Year” award at the Prestige International Media Awards in Dubai.

Her latest film, “The Professor...

Kyle Kalebdjian Clark is an Amsterdam-based guitarist and composer whose music has been described as an Eastern soul playing a Western instrument. A recent graduate of The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York City, Kyle studied under renowned artists including Ara Dinkjian and Oded Tzur—mentors who helped shape his distinctive voice as a musician.

In May 2024, he made his breakthrough performance at the BIMHUIS in Amsterdam, presenting a set of original compositions inspired by the musical traditions of his Armenian ancestry. With his debut album now in the works, Kyle continues to ex...

Ani Carla offers a heartfelt reflection on life within the Armenian diaspora, shaped by her experiences in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area. Her story is one of spiritual grounding, ancestral connection, and cultural preservation through the healing arts.

With wisdom drawn from both heritage and personal experience, Ani bridges modern identity with sacred tradition—revealing how spirit and culture intertwine to guide a meaningful life. Her journey invites listeners to reconnect with their roots and embrace the beauty of belonging across generations.

Jessica Damerjian’s journey begins in Gyumri, Armenia, where she was born and adopted as a baby. Now a college student at Drexel University in Philadelphia studying Construction Management, Jessica reflects deeply on themes of identity, belonging, and rediscovering her Armenian roots.

Originally from Reading, Massachusetts, her story explores what it means to bridge two worlds—being raised in a different country while finding pride and connection in her Armenian heritage. Through her voice, Jessica reminds us that family and identity are not defined by borders, but by love and the courage to seek one’s roots.

Simone Rizkallah is a Catholic speaker and writer who helps people discover a deeper and more meaningful existence. As a first-generation American of Egyptian-Armenian descent, she calls herself a “cultural gypsy”—Western born and educated, yet raised in an Eastern cultural and ethnic context.

This unique background gives her a powerful perspective on the search for belonging and identity. Through her writing and speaking, Simone guides others toward becoming more rooted: in their faith, their heritage, their personal story, and their greater calling.

You can learn more about her work at culturalgypsy.com.

Susanna Semerdzhyan is an Armenian-American writer and ESL instructor based in Los Angeles. A proud child of immigrants and a descendant of Armenian Genocide survivors, she is also a first-generation college graduate whose journey has deeply shaped her work and storytelling.

Her writing often explores identity, belonging, and the complexities of growing up as a child of immigrants. Susanna contributes to The Armenian Weekly and has been featured in Inside Higher Ed, sharing insights on securing a tenure-track position as a first-generation graduate, and in Business Insider, where she writes about teaching financial literacy and self-compassion to...

Susan Terzian Aran is a proud Armenian mother, Nutrition Educator, Holistic Health Coach, Yoga Teacher, Entrepreneur, and founder of Radiate Kombucha. Grounded in her heritage and guided by values of gratitude, authenticity, and human connection, Susan lives with intention while inspiring others to do the same.

For Susan, Radiate Kombucha is more than a drink—it reflects her belief in wellness, balance, and living fully. Through her work, she hopes to nourish both body and spirit while honoring her roots and empowering others to embrace health, gratitude, and purpose.

Connect with Susan @susancartigliaaran

Fo...

Lilly Torosyan is an Armenian-American writer and editor whose work centers on celebrating and preserving Armenian culture. As the editor of The Armenian Weekly, she curates and amplifies stories that reflect the depth and breadth of Armenian identity—past, present, and future.

Through her editorial leadership, Lilly ensures that the voices, achievements, and experiences of the global Armenian community remain visible and vibrant. She brings to the role a deep sense of responsibility: to honor history, elevate truth, and inspire pride among Armenians worldwide.

Whether highlighting cultural traditions, chronicling historical narratives, or showcasing modern accomplishments, Li...

Margarita Simonyan is a first-year student at Stanford University, where she’s double majoring in International Relations and Public Policy with a focus on international security, peacebuilding, and human rights. Originally from Los Angeles, her commitment to the Armenian community runs just as deep as her academic ambitions.

Margarita’s connection to her roots began early—at just five years old, she performed traditional Armenian dance at the Hayastan Cultural Center. But her drive to make a tangible impact deepened following the Artsakh War. In response, she founded Armenian Youth Education Aid, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on imp...

Tamar Kassarjian is a Florida-born Armenian-American whose life is a vibrant blend of service, storytelling, and cultural preservation. While she works full-time as a medical assistant, her true calling shines through in the countless ways she uplifts Armenian identity in her community.

Tamar is deeply rooted in local and national Armenian organizations, proudly serving as a member of the Armenian Relief Society (ARS) and the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF). Every Sunday, she teaches kindergarten at her local Armenian school, introducing young children to their heritage through language, history, and tradition.

Beyond the classroom, Tamar brings...

Tatevik Ananyan, known to many as Tate, was born in Yerevan and raised in New York after moving to the U.S. at the age of eight. While she grew up in the heart of the city, her summers in Armenia and traditional Armenian upbringing deeply shaped her values, faith, family, and education, always at the center.

Active in her local Armenian church, Tate served as a Saturday school teacher and camp counselor, finding joy in giving back and staying closely connected to her roots. Her passion for service led her to study Speech Language Pathology, a...

Armen Jesralyan was born and raised in New Jersey, carrying with him a deep personal connection to Armenian history—his grandfather, Peter, was a survivor of the Armenian Genocide of 1915 and immigrated to the United States with his family in search of a better future.

Grounded in that legacy, Armen grew up closely tied to his Armenian roots. Over the years, he has been actively involved in numerous Armenian organizations across both New Jersey and Los Angeles. Most notably, he has served as a deacon in the Armenian Apostolic Church, offering his time and voice in spiritual se...

Delilah Shahbazian is a lifelong community advocate whose roots run deep in the Armenian Apostolic Church. Raised in faith and culture, she has remained actively involved in organizations dedicated to uplifting the Armenian people and preserving their collective identity.

Her passion lies in protecting the core of Armenian culture—its language, traditions, and spiritual foundations. Whether through mentorship, activism, or storytelling, Delilah focuses on empowering the next generation to carry forward their heritage with pride, purpose, and faith.

Grounded in resilience and guided by a strong sense of ancestral responsibility, Delilah’s work reflects a devo...

Stephanie Mangioglu is a music director, conductor, educator, and multi-instrumentalist with a passion for preserving and reimagining Armenian culture through sound. While she works across genres and musical disciplines, her heritage often shapes the heart of her projects. Most recently, she has been developing a musical initiative focused on Armenian folk songs, combining traditional melodies with modern interpretations. Stephanie is also a certified sound healer, using crystal singing bowls to explore music’s restorative power. Outside of her solo efforts, she performs as the keys player for the band Audio Riot. Her mission is rooted in fostering deeper cultural un...

Michael Demirchian is a Boston-based Engineering Manager passionate about Armenian customs and traditions. While his day-to-day covers the Semiconductor industry, his nights are focused on his various involvements. Most recently, he has served as treasurer for the past 3 years on the Knights of Vartan Ararat Lodge #1 executive board. Before that, Michael had held numerous recurring or event-based roles in various Armenian non-profits around the spectrum. He's been a dancer with Sayat Nova Dance Company, a member of the Armenian Youth Federation, Armenian Church Youth Organization of America, and many more. Michael also worked on the committee for the Armenian...