Melissa Bilal appointed as the new Chair for the Commitment in Armenian Music, Arts, and Culture at UCLA.
In a significant step towards advancing Armenian studies and cultural appreciation, the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has established the Promise Chair in Armenian Music, Arts, and Culture. This new endowed chair, housed in The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, will serve as a dedicated academic and cultural platform, fostering research, education, and celebration of Armenian heritage through music and the arts.
Melissa Bilal, an accomplished scholar with a doctorate in ethnomusicology from the University of Chicago and advanced degrees from Boğaziçi University in Istanbul, has been appointed as the inaugural holder of the Promise Chair. Bilal, who has been serving as associate director and then director of the Armenian Music Program in the School of Music, has made significant contributions to the field, focusing on Armenian music and experiences in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Under Bilal's tenure, the Armenian Music Program has extended its VEM fellowship, enabling more students and alumni to study Armenian folk singing and traditional instruments. The program has also embarked on several new research projects, including one exploring the archive of music scholar and song collector Bedros Alahaidoyan.
The Armenian Music Program offers robust artistic programming, including public concerts, community outreach, undergraduate courses on Armenian music and dance, fellowships for students, and support for the VEM Ensemble. The upcoming four-CD set, "Serenade With a Dandelion," will be celebrated with a public concert scheduled for March 4.
The Promise Chair will strengthen UCLA's position as a premier site for Armenian cultural studies worldwide. By organizing conferences, talks, and concerts, it will help preserve and revitalize Armenian traditions, collaborating with entities like the UCLA Fowler Museum to safeguard Armenian cultural artifacts and history through public engagement and scholarly discourse.
The chair also fosters community connection by engaging with broader Armenian diasporic cultural expressions, enabling a shared cultural identity and continuity. Events related to Armenian identity, history, and cultural practices enhance visibility and understanding among both Armenians and the wider public.
Positioned within UCLA, a leading global institution, the Promise Chair acts as a hub for collaboration among scholars, cultural organizations, and community groups. This creates a dynamic environment for advancing Armenian studies not only academically but also in terms of cultural diplomacy and intercultural dialogue.
The establishment of the Promise Chair is made possible by a gift to The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music. The Promise Armenian Institute at UCLA, founded in 2019 with a gift from the estate of philanthropist and entrepreneur Kirk Kerkorian, plays a crucial role in this initiative. Dr. Eric Esrailian, co-chair of UCLA's Second Century Council and a UCLA faculty member, was key to the establishment of The Promise Institute.
UCLA has established itself as one of the largest and most vibrant centers for Armenian studies outside of Armenia. This new endowed chair further cements UCLA's position as a leader in Armenian studies, enhancing the cultural heritage and communal identity of Armenians worldwide. The Promise Chair serves as a crucial bridge connecting scholarly work, cultural preservation, and community engagement, thereby deepening broader cultural understanding and appreciation of Armenian contributions to arts and music.
[1] UCLA Newsroom. (2021, February 11). UCLA establishes Promise Chair in Armenian Music, Arts, and Culture. Retrieved from
- Melissa Bilal's appointment as the inaugural Promise Chair not only advances her education and self-development in Armenian music and arts, but also encourages similar lifestyle pursuits for future scholars within UCLA's Armenian Music Program.
- The cultural events organized by the Promise Chair, such as conferences, talks, and concerts, aim to promote both education-and-self-development opportunities and a deeper understanding of Armenian heritage, fostering a sense of pride and identity in the Armenian community and the wider public.
