I am delighted to share that I recently completed an Erasmus+ Teaching Mobility at the School of Education, Polytechnic Institute of Porto, Portugal.
During my visit, I delivered a series of lectures and practical sessions for undergraduate and graduate students, introducing them to various aspects of Armenian music, piano pedagogy, and contemporary music education. The program aimed to foster intercultural dialogue while promoting academic collaboration between Armenia and Portugal.
The lectures included:
- The History of Armenian Piano Music: exploring the development of the Armenian piano repertoire from its origins to the present day, highlighting major composers and stylistic trends.
- Komitas Vardapet and Heitor Villa-Lobos: a comparative study examining the role of folklore in the creative heritage of two national composers and their contribution to preserving musical identity.
- Contemporary Piano Teaching Methodologies: discussing innovative pedagogical approaches, student-centered learning, and effective strategies for piano instruction in the 21st century.
- Current Challenges in Music Education: addressing emerging issues in higher music education, curriculum development, digital learning, and the future of professional music training.
The mobility also provided an excellent opportunity to exchange teaching experiences with Portuguese colleagues, establish new academic connections, and explore possibilities for future joint research and educational projects.
I am sincerely grateful to the faculty and students of P.P.I for their warm welcome, inspiring discussions, and genuine interest in Armenian musical culture. I would also like to thank the Erasmus+ Programme for making this valuable international academic exchange possible.
I look forward to continuing these collaborations and developing new international initiatives that strengthen cultural understanding through music and education.
