Valya Samvelyan took her first steps in the singing field in the school choir. Unfortunately, for some reason she did not manage to get a musical education and started her artistic career as an amateur. While working at the tire factory she set a song and dance ensemble, and toured and performed in different regions of Armenia, as well as in Ukraine, Belarus, the Baltic countries, France, Spain, Syria, Lebanon and Belgium. In 1957, she won the first prize in the singing category at the Armenian Youth Festival and wasg awarded a gold medal. Later at other competitions she got three other gold medals as well as various diplomas. Valya Samvelyan established herself as a soloist of the Aram Merangulyan Folk Instruments Orchestra of
the Public Radio of Armenia (where she was admitted after winning a competition organzied by the Radio of Armenia). She performed as part of the ensemble for 38 years, until the last days of her life. Famous Armenian singers
Araksya Gyulzadyan, Shoghik Mkrtchyan,
Ofelia Hambardzumyan, Hovhannes Badalyan, Norayr Mnatsakanyan, Ruben Matevosyan, Raffi Hovhannisyan and Manik Grigoryan sang at the ensemble. Samvelyan's performance included musical pieces by
Komitas,
Sayat-Nova,
Alexey Hekimyan,
Khachatur Avetisyan, Aram Satunts, Khachatur Nersisyan, gusan Ashot, gusan Shahen, gusan Havasi and others. Among the most popular songs in her interpretation were "Anushik im quyrik (My sweet sister)", "Antsar aygus nayelov (You passed looking at my garden)", "Zov gisher (Cool night)" and "Shorora (Walk gracefully)" by
Sayat-Nova,
gusan Sheram,
Alexey Hekimyan, and others. She has released disks at the "
Melodia" record company (Moscow, Russia) and in the USA. Se has performed in concerts in a number of countries around the world. Her son
Ara Gevorgyan is the producer of her posthumous "Toghetsir indz menak" ("You left me alone") and "Anushik im quyrik" ("My sweet sister") albums. ==References==