Ralph Enokian

The former director of music for the Shenendehowa Central School District, NY. Ralf Enokian retired from Shenendehowa in 1999 after 34 years as the director of music, but continues to teach, appearing at local schools during Armenian history lessons. Lecturing about the Armenian Genocide and history he also uses entertainment to bring his relatively unknown homeland to light and to raise awareness because his grandparents were victims of the brutal period. He is also the conductor of the Armenian Men's Choral Ensemble, an eight-man ensemble which features various styles of music, almost entirely in Armenian. In Capital District, NY there are roughly 2,000 Armenians, they have Capital District Armenian Genocide Committee whose founder Rafi Topalian is also a singer in Enokian's choir. Organizing various events they bring Armenian music and culture to the Capital Region making re-creation of beautiful Armenian culture and celebrating cultural contributions. In one of those performances joining Enokian' ensemble on stage were award-winning opera and concert singer Sylvia Kutchukian and Rev. Dr. Mihran Kupeyan, author, historian, pastor and advocate for the acknowledgment of the Armenian Genocide,Troy Mayor Harry Tutunjian, himself an Armenian American, also was giving the opening remarks.

Sources

• Underscoring a dark time in history. Night devoted to Armenian music and culture has a reference point in genocide of 1915, By David Filkins. Times Union, NY, December 2, 2004