Richard A. Hagopian was born in 1937 of Armenian parents near Fresno, in central San Joaquin of California.

He demonstrated his musical interests early and began studying the violin and clarinet at age nine. A year later he took up the ud, studying with the renowned Armenian artist, Kanuni Garbis Bakirgian. Being interested in both classical and Armenian folk styles, he collected phonograph recordings from the old country.

Mr. Hagopian has issued four dance albums (known as the Kef Time series) and recorded an album of Armenian composers published by ARC Music in Europe. "Armenian Music through the Ages" was released by Smithsonian Folkways Records in 1993.

As artist in residence, he has taught at California State University and performed throughout the country. He recently presented a master class at the Manhattan School of Music. Among other honors, Richard Hagopian has been a recipient of a 'Meet the composer' grant from the New York State Council of the Arts. He also was awarded the National Endowment for the Arts' National Heritage Fellowship, the nation's highest honor awarded in the traditional folk arts.

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