TESTIMONIALS
Dear Sister,
The music pulsed through you last night…it was a wonderful experience to listen to you sing and play.
We felt the joy in the audience as you performed. It is such a joy to be a part of such a happy group.
Luçik, you bring great talent, energy, and professionalism to our table.
Choir, you were great. The smile never left my face….The tickets are underpriced!
Carole Baumgarten
Professional Search Group
Phoenix, Arizona
I have had the pleasure of being a member of the University Community Chorus in Tucson, Arizona, for the past few years. During most of that time Luçik Aprahämian has been our assistant conductor. Since it is a community chorus, with many different ages and personalities represented, as well as various types of voices and musical knowledge, it takes a special gift to know how to draw the best out of each of us. It is obvious that Luçik possesses that gift. She is able to connect with the members in an effectively clear and concise manner and in a way that inspires us to put forth our best effort for our own personal growth and fulfillment, but also for the good of the chorus as a whole.
I have also been pleased to work with her on the Board for the Chorus and have seen her work tirelessly in that role, often behind the scenes — delegating as necessary — so that all goes as smoothly as possible for our performances. I have observed Luçik’s interactions with the student population in the chorus as well as those of us older folks and have found her to be very approachable and congenial, and able to answer the many questions asked of her — or know where to find them.
In short, let me express what a great loss it will be to us when Luçik moves on to her next station in life. She has made a great contribution to the life of this chorus and it has been such a pleasure for me, personally, to know her and to work with her. I can only hope you will have the privilege of working with her as well.
Carol Anderson delos Santos
The University of Arizona Community Chorus
Tucson, Arizona
I met Luçik Aprahämian as the artistic director of Phoenix Women’s Chorus when I joined the choir in two years ago. Having not been a part of an organized singing group for over 30 years, I wasn’t sure what to expect. As as beginner I wasn’t sure I understood the methods Luçik used in teaching us the music, learning a song short sections at a time, bouncing around to different parts of a song, and not always in consecutive order. When I saw and heard it all come together with 40+ women of varying skill degrees, I then understood the magic of her leadership skills. I appreciate her firm, yet light hearted leadership style. She helps us have fun, build self-confidence and do our best. I am a better singer because of her.
Kristine Kollasch
Phoenix Women’s Chorus
Phoenix, Arizona
Luçik has been the Artistic Director for the Phoenix Women’s Chorus since August 2010. I have watched her take a group of women, many whom cannot read music, and give them the knowledge and tools to perform beyond their expectations. Her rehearsals incorporate a step by step approach in learning each piece to be performed. She is prepared for each rehearsal knowing exactly what piece she wants us to work on and what area in that piece that needs to be addressed. This includes what I call “mini instructions” on reading notes; musical terminology and symbols; techniques; and how to use our voices in singing. She has also conducted classes in Music Theory for those of us who wanted to take the extra step to learn more. We have performed music in the past before Luçik came. One of those pieces is “I Am” by Joan Szymko. This is a very complicated piece and was performed nicely prior to Luçik. Under Luçik’s direction we took this piece to a new level that exceeded everyone’s expectation. It was a great performance of the piece. She has accomplished all of this with her remarkable patience, knowledge, and best of all a wonderful humor to bring a smile to lighten up our day.
Betty Hamlin
Phoenix Women’s Chorus
Phoenix, Arizona
I have known Luçik for one year now. I joined the Phoenix Women’s Chorus at the start of the 2013-2014 season. I am a retired teacher who taught in the New Haven, Connecticut, school system. I have my BA in music education with a major in piano and a MA in music education majoring in clarinet. I taught middle school band for 10 years and kindergarten for 23 years. The Phoenix Women’s Chorus is a very diverse group of approximately 35-45 women whose age span is about 50 years. There are all levels of talent in the group, but many of the women have little to no music experience — some not even able to read music. Yet, Luçik is able to coax beautiful music out of the group. She has a very discriminating ear that can pick out nuances that bring the music to a professional quality. I am amazed how she can teach music reading to all. She makes difficult rhythm patterns easy to follow. She does this all with a great sense of humor. Although she is demanding, she never belittles anyone, rather, encourages all.
Helen Dunlap
Phoenix Women’s Chorus
Phoenix, Arizona
I am beginning my second year as a singing member of the Phoenix Women’s Chorus. It is my good fortune to sing under the direction of Dr. Luçik Aprahämian. As a non-auditioned chorus, Luçik has the huge challenge of working with many of us who have absolutely no musical training. During this past year, I have experienced firsthand her tremendous musical and teaching skills. With her humor, patience, and attention to detail, I am learning breath control, diction, production of sound, volume control, the discipline of singing, and an understanding of the context of the music we sing. I am amazed by the sound we are able to produce as a cohesive 40+-member chorus during each performance, solely as a direct result of her expertise.
Sandy Miller
Phoenix Women’s Chorus
Phoenix, Arizona
In the brief time I have known Luçik, I have been challenged to relearn music that I appreciate. Each week I see the effort and energy that she brings to the group. I appreciate that she wants the chorus to be better and rise to a higher level of achievement.
Marge Barr
Phoenix Women’s Chorus
Phoenix, Arizona
In the fall of 2010, I met the most amazing person — Luçik Aprahämian. She has been the artistic director of the Phoenix Women’s Chorus for four years. I am also a member of the Scottsdale Chorus, a semi-professional competition choir. We have won many national and international championships and just completed a sold-out European tour this past August.I mention this because the Scottsdale Chorus maintains a very high standard of professionalism and performance, but Dr. Aprahämian far exceeds this level, in fact she is so far above in every aspect of her musicianship, knowledge, creativity and professionalism that Scottsdale is not even in the same class. I have learned more about music in the last four years than I have in my entire life. Dr. Aprahämian is not only a brilliant conductor but an amazing teacher, mentor, and role model.I admire her for many reasons but mostly because she is wonderful person.
Susie Hall
Phoenix Women’s Chorus
Phoenix, AZ
I have been singing under Luçik Aprahämian’s direction since January of 2007. Her rehearsals are very well organized and her teaching techniques are superb. She has the ability to impart her musical skills and knowledge with efficiency, clarity and effectiveness. She’s meticulous in her attention to the smallest detail and is able to get the most and the best from each member of the choir in a professional, yet relaxed, atmosphere. She makes us all want to do our best. It’s a joy to sing under her direction and she will be a tremendous asset wherever she teaches.
Noella Amyot
The University of Arizona Community Chorus
Tucson, Arizona
Luçik is a wonderful and eloquent teacher. Her presence is strong, and she does a fantastic job of getting her vocal teachings across to the choir. She is firm, yet she is approachable. Always professional, she works at a fast clip and expects a lot from her students, yet she also has a sense of humor that makes them feel at ease.
Ana Luisa Terrazas
The University of Arizona Community Chorus
Tucson, Arizona
Luçik Aprahämian taught me private voice lessons for over a year. She is a knowledgeable and excellent instructor. She was patient, and offered frequent helpful feedback. She incorporated music theory, modeling techniques, piano accompaniment and verbal feedback. I would highly recommend her for any music related teaching position.
Shannon Kelly
Private Voice Student
San Jose, California
Luçik has been a teacher, role model, and friend to me for many years. I met her when she was the chorus master in UCSC’s production of Carmen in 1999 — my sister and I were in the children’s chorus. She became one of our home-school teachers, and we continue to have a relationship that has lasted all these years. In past years she has helped me with different subjects in school including English and music. She has also been a mentor to me throughout the time that I have known her. Luçik is very responsible and can be counted on to follow through with life responsibilities. She is a very hard worker, and is a inspiration to me to put forth my best effort in anything I do.
Veronica Spadafore
Private Student
Santa Cruz, California
What a journey it was. Last night was the first time I have ever sat in the audience. I felt as if I was taken on a grand journey. The music blew me away. I was speechless, and the range of music was surprising in a wonderful way. But when Nola told her story about her mother I could hardly keep from tearing up and I was not the only one. When Andree and Robbynne sang the song “For Good” I thought I was truly at the play “”Wicked.” I believe there is new meaning to this time frame for many now, Five hundred, twenty five thousand, six hundred minutes, from “Season of Love” when Tarah and Sue touched the hearts of the entire audience last night. The final performance with Voice of the Desert was full and rich with brilliance. What a show to be proud of. Thank you all for this Magical Journey and experience!
Darlene T. Martinez
Phoenix Women’s Chorus
Phoenix, Arizona