As the founder of Play2 Charity, I draw deeply from my Armenian heritage while living in the diaspora.

My strong connection to Armenia, its culture, and its people inspires my passion for nurturing music throughout the country. Together with my husband Chris and his duo, I established this charity to provide a platform for young musicians to gain confidence, learn, and perform, harnessing the healing powers of music throughout their lives.

I firmly believe in the strength of collaborative projects and the unique way music connects people, promoting unity and fostering resilience. Through our initiatives, we aim to create a vibrant musical community that uplifts and supports the next generation.

Mark Eden and Chris Stell, the artistic directors of the Play2Festival Guitar Festival, are widely regarded as one of the world’s leading guitar ensembles.

Having visited Armenia on numerous occasions and performed there, they have developed a profound connection with the country and its culture. Their latest CD, set for release in 2025, celebrates Armenian music and poetry, further highlighting their dedication to this rich heritage.

The Eden Stell Guitar Duo has graced stages at venues and music festivals across the globe, including Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Sweden, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Romania, the USA, Canada, Mexico, South and Central America, and Australia.

Hakob is the artistic director of play2 festival and holds the position of guitar professor of Yerevan State Conservatory. Hakob is a seasoned soloist as well as an ensemble musician.

Hakob has worked as a guitar teacher in various music schools including Yerevan School of Arts. He has prepared many of laureates of international competitions. Hakob has held masterclasses in various countries. In 2010 he became associate professor of Yerevan State Conservatory.

In September 2012 Hakob was granted the honour title of Merited Artist of Armenia and Armenian Pedagogical University 90th anniversary medal.

Hakob has given concerts and held master classes in Ukraine, Russia, Georgia, Estonia, Belorussia, Argentina, Germany, Syria, Poland, China, the Czech Republic, Germany, Belgium, France, Italy, Lebanon, USA, Canada, Lithuania.

The Vida Guitar Quartet is recognised as one of the world's leading guitar ensembles, celebrated for their remarkable artistry and global appeal.

They have performed across all continents, captivating audiences with their innovative interpretations and captivating performances.

In 2024, Vida made their inaugural trip to Armenia, where their concert was met with overwhelming enthusiasm. During their visit, each member of the quartet engaged with a group of young musicians for a week, culminating in a final performance on the last day of the festival.

As artists in residence, Vida is set to return in 2025, bringing renewed energy and inspiration to the vibrant musical community in Armenia.

Lina Hayrapetian (Nickname Nino) is one of the founding members and trustee of play2 and the operations director of the charity. Nino was born and raised in Iran in an Armenian family.

Nino started playing the guitar at the age 11. Later she moved to Armenia to study at Yerevan state Conservatory after Komitas.

In 2011, she graduated with masters degree of Classical Guitar Music, under direction of Hakop Jaghatspanyan. Nino developed interest in music composition and studied with Edward Hayrapetian. She released her first solo album “White” for modern classical guitar in 2018.

As a mentor for new generation of young guitarists she has taught in Sayat Nova and Aleksei Hakimyan music schools since 2011. In 2020 she Nino established her own private music school, Niino's music Room!

Becca is a trustee of play2 and an orchestral percussionist and studied music at Royal Holloway University of London where she graduated with a first class honours degree.

After leaving university she found a full time job at Croydon Music and Arts as their Cultural Learning and Participation Assistant. This role has provided her with experience working with children and young people in an arts setting and has broadened her knowledge of the organisation and planning that goes into running events such as festivals, concerts and classes. As well as her job at CMA, Becca also continues to play percussion with the Surbiton Symphony Orchestra and has recently played with their neighbour, Wimbledon Symphony Orchestra.

Vardan Hovhannisyan is a guitar teacher for whom teaching music is more a pleasure and joy than work.

He works with children with special affection, striving to make the learning process enjoyable and inspiring.

Vardan Hovhannisyan's desire is to make his students fall in love with the guitar and, through it, discover the harmony and happiness that music brings to their lives.

I am Anushik. I received my education from the Armenian State Pedagogical University, where I specialized in piano. From September 2020, I began teaching at the Aramus Music School as a piano teacher.

During 2021-2022, I participated in a cultural exchange program in Germany. After returning, I enrolled in the Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory, majoring in guitar. Since 2022, I have been working at Alexander Hekimyan Music School as a guitar teacher. For the past year, I have been running my own private guitar studio in Aramus.

I’m Tsolak Manukyan, and I started playing guitar in 2003. I studied under Armen Gevorgyan at "Luiza-V" music school and the Music and Art School after Haykanush Danielyan. My dedication has been recognized through several competitions, including the 2nd Republican Competition-Festival of Young Musicians-Performers in 2007, where I received a diploma, and the "Renaissance" international contests in 2010 and 2011, earning a certificate and a 1st degree laureate title.

As a key member of the Play2Festival, I actively participate in ensemble rehearsals and support the festival's efforts in any way possible. My commitment to nurturing young talent and promoting music in Armenia is at the heart of everything I do.

Vahan Karen Sargsyan, born in Yerevan, is a promising young musician who has participated in the Play2Festival since its inception in 2023, both as a soloist and in ensembles.

He began his musical journey at the age of 10 and graduated from Tchaikovsky Music School. After completing his military service, he continued his education at the Yerevan State Conservatory named after Komitas.

Vahan has received numerous accolades in international competitions, including 2nd prize at the Tbilisi International Classical Guitar Competition, recognition at the Pleven International Guitar Festival-Competition, the Grand Prize at the "Renaissance" International Festival-Competition, and 1st Prize at the "Art Music" International Festival. He also served on the jury of the 1st Primavera Foundation Armenia Classical Guitar Competition, further showcasing his commitment to the musical community.

Henrik Melikyan, born in Yerevan, is a talented young guitarist who has played a central role in the Play2Festival as both a soloist and ensemble player.

He began his musical studies at the A. Hekimyan Music School and continued at various prestigious institutions, culminating in his education at the Komitas State Conservatory. Henrik has performed extensively, including his debut concert in 2010, and has participated in numerous international competitions, earning several awards.

Henrik has been teaching at Luiza-V Music School since 2021. In 2023-2024, he collaborated with the Primavera Foundation of Armenia to conduct concerts and masterclasses in various cities and border villages across Armenia, further contributing to the musical community.

Driven by her passion for sharing music, Swedish classical guitarist Erika Clevejarn regularly appears as a soloist and chamber musician across the United Kingdom and internationally. Her diverse performances are recognized for their imaginative, creative and sensitive style and approach. Erika joined Play2Festival in 2023 and had the great pleasure of visiting Armenia for the first time that year.

Erika is a dedicated teacher. She is deeply passionate about the presence of music education in schools. Aspiring to make the classical guitar more accessible for young people from diverse backgrounds, she enjoys holding regular classes, workshops and presentations in schools.

Erika has degrees from both the Royal College of Music in London (Bachelor of Music, Hons) and the Royal Academy of Music in London  (Master of Arts in Performance, and LRAM).

Pardy is a prize winner at several international music competitions including Boston Guitar International Composition Competition, AGBU Sayat Nova International Composition Competition, Miguel Liobet International Composition Competition and «Renaissance» International Composition Competition for both vocal and instrumental works.

As a composer and guitarist Pardy has participated in several local and international festivals and concerts, including her New York Carnegie Hall debut in 2019.

Pardy recorded her first solo album in 2019, sponsored by Naregatsy Art Institute in Armenia, which includes her original compositions and arrangements in addition to other Armenian arrangements for solo classical guitar.

Pardy has graduated with honors from Yerevan State Komitas Conservatory, studying Bachelor's Degree in Music Composition under Vartan Adjemian, and Master's Degree in Guitar Performance under Hakob Jaghatspanyan. She continued her studies at USC Thornton School of Music in California, USA, studying classical guitar performance under Bill Kanengiser and Scott Tennant from Los Angeles guitar Quartet, and under Pepe Romero, in addition to studying music composition under Brian Head and Ted Hearne.