Armands Melnbārdis

Armands Melnbārdis is a Latvian-born musician and recording artist.

Personal life
Melnbārdis was born and raised in Riga, Latvia by his mother Helga Ingeborga Melnbārde accomplished artist & author.
His violin studies began at the young age of five at Emīls Dārziņš Music School Conservatory of Music, Riga, Latvia (Emīla Dārziņa mūzikas vidusskola). Armand began touring internationally at the age of twelve. In 1992 after one of his solo performances in the famous Wagner Hall in Riga, he was offered to continue his education at Stetson University with world renown classical violinist Dr. Alvaro Gomez, where upon his arrival he became the concertmaster of Stetson Symphony.

Musical education
Bachelor of Music, Stetson University, DeLand FL

Rollins College · Master of Music Education · Music Education · Winter Park, Florida

Emīls Dārziņš Music School Conservatory of Music, Riga, Latvia

Early years
Melnbārdis toured throughout Europe and the USA since the early age of twelve, (performing in Germany, France, Finland, Russia, United Kingdom, Whales, Scotland, Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia)

Career
HAS PERFORMED / RECORDED WITH THE FOLLOWING RECORDING ARTIST:

Luciano Pavarotti, Barry Manilow, Richard Marx, Dino, Rob Rock, Richard Hayman, Carman, Nova Era, Debbie Gibson, Ray Price, Kelle Rhoads, N'Sync, Acoustic Saints, Beu Sisters, Heaven & Earth.

HAS PERFORMED WITH ORCHESTRAS:

Orlando Bach Festival Symphony, Orlando Symphony, Ft. Myers Symphony, Ft Lauderdale Opera House Orchestra, Brevard Symphony Orchestra, Daytona Beach Symphony & Guild, Ormond Beach Symphony, Space Coast Pops Symphony, Florida Lakes Symphony, Seaside Music Theatre Orchestra, National Opera Symphony of Latvia.

HELD CONCERTMASTER POSITIONS AT:

United European International Orchestra Summit Cognac, France
Stetson Symphony,  DeLand, FL, Ormond Beach Symphony, Stetson Chamber Orchestra, DeLand, FL

HAS BEEN FEATURED AS SOLOIST WITH:

Ormond Beach Symphony, Stetson University Orchestra'

1ST VIOLINIST:

Vio7 String Quartet, Barron String Quartet, Ormond String Quartet

Television Performances
"ARMAND Live From New York City" (TBN)

"ARMAND & ROB ROCK Christmas Special" (#1) (TBN)

"ARMAND & ROB ROCK Christmas Special" (#2) (TBN)

"Carman Halloween Special" (TBN)

"Christmas with N'Sync" (MTV, VH1)

Studio albums

Vio7 "The Seventh String" (7-string rock/metal violin)

"Vintage Colours" (smooth jazz violin)

"Pure Vanilla Christmas" (classical/jazz/Broadway)

"Upon The Christmas Night" (jazz/pop/classical/Christian)

"Dig" With Heaven and Earth (2013)

Recognition and awards
A.S.T.A. Young Artist Competition in Miami, FL

Stetson University Concerto Competition, DeLand, FL

Upcoming Classical Stars Competition, Riga, Latvia

References

External links
http://www.songweavers.com/about.php?member=armandvio7
http://www.metaltalk.net/columns/20100204.php
http://www.sugarbuzzmagazine.com/bands/vio7/vio7.html
http://www.artistdirect.com/artist/credits/armand-melnbardis/10624670
http://www.seaoftranquility.org/reviews.php?op=showcontent&id=7182
http://metalcrypt.wordpress.com/2009/.../armand-melnbardis-of-vio7-intervie...
http://www.emergenza.net/US/en-us/.../armand-melnbardis.aspx
https://web.archive.org/web/20120204125226/http://www.robrock.com/index2.html
http://violinsrule.libsyn.com/episode-10-no-guitars-needed-armand-shreds-wit...
https://myspace.com/armandvio7
http://www.tvnet.lv/izklaide/popkultura/42628-helga_ingeborga_melnbarde_visu_pati_fire

Category:Latvian classical violinists
Category:Child classical musicians
Category:Stetson University alumni
Category:Year of birth missing (living people)
Category:Living people
Category:Rock violinists
Category:People from Riga
Category:21st-century classical violinists