Mher Mnatsakanyan

Uniquely one of the driving forces in modern representation of the Armenian Duduk, Mher Mnatsakanyan has spent many years as both a classical Clarinetist as well as a modern Duduk soloist. In 2016, Mher became a member of the “Matbookha Groove” band and has been playing at Walt Disney world as lead woodwind soloist. Previously, Mher traveled the world playing in the orchestra for the amazing and colorful traditional Chinese cultural show, Shen Yun Performing Arts. As a principal clarinet player, Mher has performed worldwide participating in four world tours with Shen Yun performing arts, most notably, Japan, Argentina, Taiwan, all around United States, etc. Prior to Shen Yun Performing Arts, Mr. Mnatsakanyan spent three years touring with the living legend and Duduk master Djivan Gasparyan all around Russia and the former Soviet Union.
Born in Armenia in 1984, Mr. Mnatsakanyan began his studies at the Alexander Spenderian music school and later graduated with a Masters in Music Performance from the Komitas Yerevan State Conservatory. At the age of 15, Mher Mnatsakanyan began touring around the world starting with the talented children’s project “New Names,” most notably performing in the United States, Europe, United Kingdom, and the former Soviet Union. He later performed as the principal clarinetist at the Yerevan State Opera and Ballet orchestra as well as a clarinet soloist at the Tatoul Altounian National Song and Dance Ensemble. Mr. Mnatsakanyan later joined the proclaimed Dudukner Ensemble under the leadership of Duduk master Giorgi Minasov. With the Dudukner Ensemble, Mher Mnatsakanyan’s collaborations included classical, jazz, and even traditional works with a Duduk quartet and clarinet.
After moving to the United States, Mr. Mnatsakanyan has been working hard to introduce more people into the spiritual world of the Armenian Duduk. You can check out some of his new tracks via YouTube and SoundCloud or see him live at Walt Disney World in Florida where he performs daily.
http://www.musicmher@gmail.com

Patricia Yee

Patricia Yee graduated with honors from the Hartt School of Music (West Hartford, CT) where she received Bachelors and Masters of Music degree in Performance and Music Education studying with prominent teachers Steven Maxym and Frank Morelli. She is currently principal bassoonist with the Lexington Symphony, where she was again a featured soloist in June 2013, and the Lexington Chamber Players.  She has been invited to be a featured soloist in the fall 2013 with the Boston Chamber Orchestra. As a freelance bassoonist she has performed with the National Lyric Opera of New York touring orchestra, The Boston and Rhode Island Philharmonics, New Haven Symphony and the Hartford Symphony, CT. Emmanuel Music, Boston Virtuosi, Orchestra of Indian Hill and many regional orchestras throughout New England.

An avid chamber musician, Patti has performed in and around the Boston area. She participated in the chamber music festival Le FestivalInternational Du Domaine Forget, Quebec, Canada where she studied with Chris Millard and in July of 2010 where she studied with Giorgio Versiglia and performed at The Sebino International Music Festival, Pisogne, Italy. In 2011 she performed as a soloist with Musici Di Parmain Predore, Italy. She has performed live on WGBH “Morning Pro Music”. Most recently in the spring of 2013 she recorded wind sextet, “Rhapsodie” by Joseph Jongen at Frasier Studio WGBH, Boston. The CD will be released on September 22, 2013 at an all Jongen program at Jordan Hall, Boston.

A passionate educator for over twenty years she has served on the faculties of the Hartt School of Music extension division, the All Newton Music School, Brookline Music School, Youth and Muse International summer music festival, Boston Conservatory and for the Brockton and Walpole Public Schools. She currently maintains a private studio at her home in Dedham.