Ara Zerounian, longtime Detroit violin teacher, left world-class legacy
Detroit Free Press
November 2, 2012
By Mark Stryker, Free Press Staff Writer
The violin teachers who get all the glory are those at top
conservatories blessed with gifted students and prodigies. But the
unsung heroes of the trade are those who work with beginners, the
teachers who hear more clunkers than cadenzas but can ignite a
lifelong love for music – and sometimes inspire greatness.
There was never anyone better at this than Ara Zerounian, who died
Monday at age 86 at home in Ridgefield Conn., where he had relocated
from Troy in May. Mr. Zerounian had a Midas touch with young string
players, leaving a deep impression not only on music in Detroit but
the broad sweep of classical music in America. A striking number of
his former students became world-class musicians.
Mr. Zerounian, who taught for decades in the Detroit Public Schools,
filled his afternoons and Saturdays with private teaching, imparting
unimpeachable technical fundamentals and nurturing a passion for the
joy of music. He wrapped it all together with a kindly uncle’s
repertoire of hugs, jokes and gold-star stickers.
=80=9CHe was so patient and had such love for his students,’ said
violinist Ida Kavafian, his stepdaughter, whose first teacher was Mr.
Zerounian. `Between the patience, the solid technical command and his
love for kids and music, he gave students an incredible foundation.’
Sisters Ida and Ani Kavafian (also a violinist) enjoy major careers as
chamber musicians, soloists and teachers. But they are far from
Mr. Zerounian’s only star pupils. The honor roll also includes the
incomparable violist Kim Kashkashian, former Minnesota Orchestra
concertmaster Jorja Fleezanis (who now teaches at Indiana University);
Cleveland Orchestra principal violist Robert Vernon; Metropolitan
Opera Orchestra principal violist Michael Ouzounian and Utah Symphony
concertmaster Ralph Matson.
Ida Kavafian said that Mr. Zerounian had been in declining health for
the past year and died after a short illness. (Mr. Zerounian married
the Kavafian sisters’ mother, Peruz, in the late 1960s.)
Born in Detroit, Mr. Zerounian began playing violin as a child and
later switched to the viola. He was inspired to a career in music at
Cass Tech by the school’s legendary orchestra conductor Michael
Bistritzky. After serving in in the Army in World War II,
Mr. Zerounian attended Northwestern University on the GI Bill and
earned a master’s degree in music at the Eastman Conservatory.
He returned home to Detroit to start teaching in the public schools in
1952 at an annual salary of $2,900.
`It’s a special responsibility and a privilege to be in a position to
introduce children to music,’ Mr. Zerounian told the Free Press in
2001. `They’re so eager and enthusiastic. It’s inspiring to see their
reaction when they’re able to do something. When a conductor leads a
Mozart symphony, that’s very gratifying, but I’m happy if they play
`Mary Had a Little Lamb’ in tune.’
Mr. Zerounian also taught summers at the Interlochen Center for the
Arts. After retiring from the public schools, he served as principal
violist of the Warren Symphony from 1976-92 and the Pontiac-Oakland
Symphony from 1979-1992. His wife, a violinist who died in 1996, was
often concertmaster of these ensembles.
Mr. Zerounian is survived by his stepdaughters; a brother, and a
grandson. Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, preceded by visitation
at 10 a.m., at the Armenian Congregational Church, 26210 W. 12 Mile,
Southfield. Visitation also from 6-8:30 p.m. Monday at Edward Korkoian
Funeral Home, 836 North Main St., Royal Oak.
Contact Mark Stryker: 313-222-6459 or [email protected]