Best Liturgical / Spiritual / Gospel Album

WINNER Narek Bell Choir Gloria in Excelsis: Armenian Spiritual Music Indy

This is the very first time that such a recording of Armenian Church music has been produced with children’s choir and bell choir combination.

21 tracks of excerpts from Divine Liturgy, Armenian Christmas Hymns and more.

NOMINEES:

• Anahit Kherlopian Life Is Love CWN
• Sosie Sacred Classics Pe-Ko
• Narek Bell Choir Gloria in Excelsis: Armenian Spiritual Music Indy
• Salpi Keleshian Shout with me Indy

Best Pop Retro Album

WINNER Arthur Ispirian Asum en Te Narek.com Records

Armenian Music Award Winner Arthur Ispirian, with Asum En Te album, takes us back to the 70's and 80's with a set of most popular songs from Ajemian, Avetisyan, Ayvazian, Jrbashyan, and more. His light, satiny voice with marvelous fluidity delivers each note wonderfully. Up to date, this album is the best remake of our oldies, that has a chance to break through the barrier and reach the younger generation of listeners.

His duet with Nune Badalyan (daughter of Hovhannes Badalyan) Knarakan is breathtaking. The original version of the song was performed by Hovhannes Badalyan and Rouben Matevosyan.

NOMINEES:

• Various Artists Yerevan - Moscow: Tranzit Parseghian Records
• Arthur Ispirian Asum en Te Narek.com Records
• Janet Khalarian Norits Kez Hed Indy
• Hooshere Provenance Indy
• Mher Sahakyan Khoske Massisi G-Records

Best Modern Contemporary Album The Stepan Lousikian Award

WINNER Andre Danik Romantic Collection Arm Melody

Andre Danik on a set of Armenian romantic songs.

NOMINEES:

• Andre Danik Romantic Collection Arm Melody
• Helene Toy Star Records
• Jivanjo Haneloug Es Tou Parseghian Records
• Hayko Live Concert Parseghian Records
• Ruzan Avetikyan Siro Kisher Parseghian Records

Best Urban Pop Album

WINNER Yourik Grigoryan Siro Namagner Arm Melody

NOMINEES:

• Yourik Grigoryan Siro Namagner Arm Melody
• Nana Ov Er Asel G-Records
• Shiker Sirov Parseghian Records
• Aram Asatryan Anounet Star Records
• Artash Asatryan Bales Star Records

Best World Fusion Album

WINNER Arax La Brise Indy

Inspiring and very fresh instrumental acoustic arrangements of Armenian folk music & pieces from Komitas, Khachatur Avetisyan, with duduk/shvi, cello, flute & guitar. Imported from Belgium.

NOMINEES:

• Eastern Winds Eastern Winds ARP
• The Influx Mysticity Indy
• Arthur Ispirian Art & ISpace Narek.com Records
• Armen Chakmakian Caravans Truart Records
• Arax La Brise Indy

Best Vocal Traditional Album

WINNER Zulal Folk Trio Zulal Indy

“ZULAL is a unique transcendental experience which takes us back to our cultural roots. It is nothing less than the rebirth of traditional Armenian music with all its pride, strength and vibrant healing power. You'll love it! Two thumbs up! " -- Vreij Kolandjian, Houston, TX, USA

NOMINEES:

• Vararakn, Varada & Mkarats Choirs Fortress City Pomegranate Music
• Zulal Folk Trio Zulal Indy
• Hamlet Gevorgyan We Are... Parseghian Records
• Anahid Ishkhanyan Chvejatsogh Patmutyoun Indy
• Hovhannes Badalyan The Legend Narek.com Records
• Hovhannes Badalyan MasterS'Pieces Narek.com Records

Best Contemporary Folk Album

WINNER Berge Turabian Bird Soul Indy

Berge Turabian's album Bird Soul is the fourth album in the series of The Armenian Poets in Songs. It brings forth three prominent living poets in Diaspora - Zahrad, Khrakhuni, and Igna Sariaslan. Mr. Turabian's mellifluous songs are beautifully coupled with the poems, particularly

Zahrad's "Christmas Tree," which captures some of the most graceful nuances of Armenian culture.

NOMINEES:

• Zareh Ten Songs Written in the Midst of Nights Narek.com Records
• Berge Turabian Bird Soul Indy
• Armen Yesayan Pushe Parseghian Records
• Berge Turabian Your Name Indy

Best Newcomer

WINNER Zulal Folk Trio Zulal Indy

“ZULAL is a unique transcendental experience which takes us back to our cultural roots. It is nothing less than the rebirth of traditional Armenian music with all its pride, strength and vibrant healing power. You'll love it! Two thumbs up! " -- Vreij Kolandjian, Houston, TX, USA

NOMINEES:

• Artin Karapet Tears Of Passion Pe-Ko Records
• Zulal Folk Trio Zulal Indy
• BBR Bambir Gor Music
• Hooshere Provenance Indy
• Mihran It's My Time Indy

Best Rap & Hip Hop Album

WINNER Mihran It's My Time Indy

NOMINEES:

• Mihran It's My Time Indy
• Twinz 2 Wins Narek.com Records
• Tin Tin One Night Indy

Best Songwriter Album

WINNER Anna Armenakian Siro Caravan - Silvi Parseghian Records

Silvi on a set of Armenian songs.

NOMINEES:

• Anna Armenakian Siro Caravan - Silvi Parseghian Records
• Zara Petrosyan Fantasy Show Various Parseghian Records
• Araksia Veratarst Indy
• Vahram Hajian & A. Ishkhanyan Yev Kyanqs Antsav Indy
• Vahe Hayrapetyan Your Song Pe-Ko Records
• Elvina Makaryan Flawless Sako ME Productions

Best Classical Vocal Album (The Arpine Pehlivanian Award)

WINNER Khatchatur Avetisyan Oratorio / Requiem Narek.com Records

April 24, 1915 is the most tragic day in the Armenian history. On this day, under the cover of World War I, Turkish government began the first genocide of the 20th century. A million-and-a-half Armenians were brutally killed, and the survivors fled. The Armenian presence in a large part of its historical homeland was effectively eradicated.

The Oratorio, written in 1985 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the greatest tragedy in the history of Armenia, premiered in 1986 in Yerevan. In 1992, conducted by Michael Avetisyan, the composer's son, Dutch and Armenian musicians performed the Oratorio in Amsterdam and in 2003 the Oratorio was presented to Paris audience.

NOMINEES:

• Helene Zindarsian A Mother's Love Indy
• Khatchatur Avetisyan Oratorio / Requiem Narek.com Records
• Jirayr Satamian Flowers and Thorns Pe-Ko Records
• Leon Makasjian Operatic Arias & Beloved Melodies Indy

Best International Album

WINNER Joseph Krikorian Tslamili Indy

Joseph Krikorian on a set of Arabic songs.

NOMINEES:

• Lucia Moon Lvitsa Star Records
• Nune International Album Prime Entertainment
• Joseph Krikorian Tslamili Indy
• Abraham Rousso Tbi OKaha Indy
• Wadih Mrad Wadda'ni el Habib Take 5 Music

Best Children's Album

WINNER Armenian Children's Choir Ril & G School Bus Molorak Arts

A fun and innovative musical CD for Armenian children of all ages.

NOMINEES:

• Taline Oror Indy
• Nvair Ari Mer Doon Indy
• Yetvart Hagopian Armenian Children's Songs Indy
• Armenian Children's Choir Ril & G School Bus Molorak Arts

Best Instrumental Album (The Michael Ganian Award)

WINNER Iakovos Kolanian Shoror Pomegranate Music

Aside from his breathtaking virtuosity, however, it is ultimately the musical refinement and emotional depth that distinguishes Kolanian's playing. The gems that he has created with this recording deserve to be treasured, and are sure to become a reference, for many years to come.

NOMINEES:

• Iakovos Kolanian Shoror Pomegranate Music
• Alen Romance and... Indy
• Armine & Artavazd Modern Armenian Duduk Star Records
• Artin Karapet Tears Of Passion Pe-Ko Records
• Barret Yeretsian, Antranig Kzirian History part 2 Pe-Ko Records

Best Folk Rock Album

WINNER BBR Bambir Gor Music

BBR band on a set of original rock songs.

NOMINEES:

• Gor Mkhitarian Episode Gor Music
• Desilk Armenian Rock Indy
• BBR Bambir Gor Music

Best Concert Video

WINNER Aram Asatryan Live in Armenia Star Records

2 Disc / CD Audio and DVD Video Set Aram Asatryan live in concert. Yerevan, Armenia, 2005.

NOMINEES:

• Sako In Concert at the Alex Me Productions
• Aram Asatryan Live in Armenia Star Records
• Hamlet Gevorgyan In Concert Parseghian Records
• Various Three Armenians Garni Records
• Hayko Live Concert Parseghian Records

Best Dance Album

WINNER Sako Flawless ME Productions

Sako's 2004 release.

NOMINEES:

• Olga Ayvazyan Hayasdani Maraln Em Parseghian Records
• Sako Flawless ME Productions
• Alfred Untitled Chaterian

Best Album Cover & Design

WINNER Fortress City Various Design by Arsineh Khachikian Pomegranate Music

The musical selections offered here present the broad spectrum of choral works from the 10th through 20th centuries in areas of Armenian spiritual, folk, and village-lyrical spheres. Consider Fortress City your formal invitation to the rich culture and tremendous will of Nagorno-Karabagh's Armenians. -- Zakar Keshishian

NOMINEES:

• Bales Artash Asatryan Design by Sahak Ekshian Star Records
• Provenance Hooshere Design by Arsineh Khachikian Indy
• Bird Soul Berge Turabian Design by Printinfo Indy
• The Legend Hovhannes Badalyan Design by Gagik Adamyan Narek.com Records
• Fortress City Various Design by Arsineh Khachikian Pomegranate Music

Best Music Video

WINNER Gor Mkhitarian Wherever Dir: Soudj

NOMINEES:

• Joseph Krikorian Mayrig Dir: Hratch Keshishyan
• Anna Armenakian Leaving Trains Dir: Arthur Vartanyan
• Yourik Ejmiadzin Dir: Vigen Khachatourian
• Hayko No Words Dir: Hratch Keshishyan
• Artash Asatryan Miami Dir: Koji Zadorian
• Gor Mkhitarian Wherever Dir: Soudj

Best Original Song

WINNER Helen Menutyun Elvina Makaryan

NOMINEES:

• Aram Asatryan Yes Siroum Em Kez Aram Asatryan
• Gor Mkhitaryan Cold Wagon 1993 Gor Mkhitaryan
• Zareh Parev Dghek Zareh
• Sako Im Menutyun Elvina Makaryan
• Araxia Es Ov Intz Anizedz Araxia
• Andre Danik Siro Kisher Arthur Kojasaryan
• Helen Menutyun Elvina Makaryan
• Silvi Siro Caravan Anna Armenakyan