Shake Dilanyan

Shake Dilanyan was born in 1965 in the city of Ararat, into a family where music was a way of life. Her father, Pogos Dilanyan, devoted himself to the cultural life of Ararat and the surrounding villages, bringing music into people’s hearts. He was the first to create pop brass bands, accordion ensembles, and a variety of instrumental and vocal groups for both children and adults, igniting a vibrant musical tradition in the community.

In her home, everyone received a musical education and played different instruments. The family often organized concerts, which became beloved traditions. It was during those special moments that Shake’s love for music — and especially the enchanting sound of the piano — began to blossom and grow deeper with each passing day.

She was admitted to the Ararat City Music School, in the piano department, where she studied with great diligence and became one of the school’s most active students. Among the family’s close friends were celebrated musicians such as organist Vahagn Stamboltsyan, violin master and micro-sculptor Edward Ghazaryan, renowned pianist and composer Garegin Gurgeni Grigoryan, and distinguished cellist Professor Geronty Talalyan. Encouraged by their guidance, in 1981 she was admitted to the Yerevan Musical Pedagogical College (now named after Arno Babajanyan), where she studied in the class of Ye. Galustova.

In 1985, she graduated with qualifications as a piano teacher and accompanist. The following year, she entered the Music Education Faculty of the Khachatur Abovyan State Pedagogical Institute. After two years, she transferred to the third year of the Piano Department at the Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory, joining the class of Honored Pedagogue and Professor Y. Zargaryan. His teaching left a lasting impression on her — every lesson was a true school of musical artistry and pedagogy.

After graduating in 1991, Shake returned to her hometown and worked as a piano teacher and accompanist. In 1993, she married and moved to the city of Krasnoselsk, where she continued her pedagogical work. In 2005, her family relocated to Yerevan, where she joined the G. Budaghyan Art School as a piano teacher and accompanist.

Over the years, she has performed in numerous concert tours as an accompanist and actively participated in the school’s events, both as a soloist and as an accompanist. She has been honored with awards as Best Teacher in 2013 and 2018, and Best Accompanist at the 5th International “Renaissance” Festival of Performing Musicians in 2019. For her conscientious and heartfelt dedication, she has also received a Certificate of Appreciation in 2010, 2013, and 2022.

Since 2020, Shake has proudly represented the G. Budaghyan Art School in competitions organized by the Yerevan Municipality. She is privileged to work with many talented students who have participated in competitions and concerts in Armenia and abroad, earning prestigious awards and high recognition.

Notable Competitions and Festivals where Shake Dilanyan’s students achieved success: “Renaissance” International Concert-Festival of Musician Performance (2019), “Art Music” International Competition (2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024), “Kamerton” International Festival of Solo Performing Arts (2019, 2024), Arno Babajanyan International Competition-Festival for Youth and Young Performers (5th, 6th, and 7th editions, 2019, 2021, 2023), “Sanremo Music” Official International Competitions in Europe (2020), “AGBU is Discovering Talents” Piano Competition (2023), “Nouvelles Étoiles” International Music Competition (2024), 15th World Open Music Competition (2024), “Classical Eurovision” (Semi-final, 2024), “GeneralBass” Baroque Music International Piano Competitions (2025).

As a pianist and educator, Shake Dilanyan believes that music is not merely an art — it is a living, breathing force that shapes hearts and souls. Teaching has taught her patience and humility, while the piano has given her a voice to express the deepest emotions words cannot reach. Every note she plays and every lesson she gives carries her dedication to inspire, to nurture, and to pass on the love of music to the next generation. Her greatest reward is seeing her students blossom into confident, expressive artists who continue the tradition of excellence and passion that was entrusted to her. With every performance and every lesson, she strives to leave behind not just melodies, but memories and meaning — notes that echo far beyond the concert hall.