Raffi Altounian

Raffi Altounian began his comprehensive music education at The Royal Conservatory of Music with guitarist Robert Hamilton, Dr. Araxie Altounian and William Beauvais. During these years, he trained in classical guitar performance, composition and piano. He later pursued undergraduate studies in guitar performance at the University of Toronto studying with guitarists Jeffrey McFadden and Dr. Alvin Tung, and then completed this degree at the University of Montreal with Peter McCutcheon. While pursuing his undergraduate degree, Mr. Altounian received top prizes in music festivals at both the local and national levels. He then completed a Masters degree in music performance at Florida State University where he studied with Bruce Holzman.

As a teacher's assistant at Florida State University, Mr. Altounian taught privately, coached chamber musicians and gave masterclasses to undergraduate students. Mr. Altounian has cultivated his musical abilities in many genres of music including classical, jazz, blues, popular, Celtic and Latin music. His musical diversity has led him to a performing career that has included concert, television and radio performances throughout Canada and the U.S. as soloist, chamber musician and accompanist. He has recorded two CD's as part of the violin/guitar collaboration Duo Capriccio, a Mel Bay CD publication of solo blues pieces by composer William Beauvais, and has both recorded and been the dedicatee of works by Canadian composers. Mr. Altounian has been a member of The RCM Faculty since 2007.