THE NAGHASH ENSEMBLE
Who is the Naghash Ensemble ?
The Naghash Ensemble is one of Armenia’s most acclaimed contemporary music ensembles, blending ancient Armenian sacred poetry, folk traditions, and modern composition into a deeply moving and cinematic sound. Led by Armenian-American composer John Hodian, the group features soaring three-part female vocals alongside traditional Armenian instruments including duduk, oud, and dhol, interwoven with piano and contemporary arrangements.
Drawing inspiration from the writings of the 15th-century Armenian mystic poet and priest Mkrtich Naghash, the ensemble’s celebrated “Songs of Exile” project explores themes of spirituality, longing, displacement, and resilience, ideas that continue to resonate across cultures today. Their music bridges ancient and modern worlds, creating performances that feel both timeless and urgently contemporary.
Described as “the sound of Ancient Armenia reinvented for the 21st century,” The Naghash Ensemble has performed internationally at major concert halls, sacred music festivals, and world music stages across Europe and North America, earning praise for their emotionally transcendent live performances.
Performing Live in Seattle
November 17, 2026
Town Hall
Featuring:
Hasmik Baghdasaryan (soprano)
Tatevik Movsesyan (soprano)
Arpine Ter-Petrosyan (alto)
Emmanuel Hovhannisyan (duduk)
Aram Nikoghosyan (oud)
Tigran Hovhannisyan (dhol)
John Hodian (piano/composer)
PRESS
“East meets West and antiquity meets modernity in this collection of ruminations, lamentations, and incantations. Highly intriguing yet accessible.” — NPR
“Composer John Hodian brings the poems of the 15th-century Armenian priest Mkrtich Naghash to life. These songs are unmistakably Armenian, but out of this world.”
— Armenisch-Deutsche Korrespondenz