NAHANT — For mother-daughter musical duo Jasmine Atabekyan and Emilya Gaspar, the biggest highlight — aside from playing together — is leaving an emotional mark on their audiences through the power of their music.
The pair recently traveled back to the North Shore from overseas for a free performance at the Nahant Village Church on Sept. 28. They connected with The Item to speak about their background, playing as a pair, and elaborate on what initially sparked their passion for music.
Gaspar, Atabekyan’s daughter, began practicing the violin and studying music at the age of 6; she noted her inspiration came from having two parents as musicians.
“I always loved the violin. Growing up, I was always in competitions, going to perform in different concerts, and by the time I was 13 years old, I started doing international competitions,” Gaspar explained.
Gaspar noted her education experience spanned notable places such as the Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts, Amsterdam University of the Arts, and University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna.
She won the Violin Prize for competing in the Marie Cantagrill International Violin Competition in France, won First Prize and a full scholarship for two years at the Karter Competition in Athens, Greece, and also won First Prize at the Roman Totenberg International String Competition in New York.
For Atabekyan, she also grew up around music, though at first, she said didn’t like playing the piano.
“I didn’t want to play… I was trying to skip lessons; I liked music, but not practicing,” she said. “ One summer, when I was 14, I started listening more carefully and started playing the piano and fell in love suddenly. Then I started practicing for many days.”
She continued, saying after she picked the piano back up, she began entering into competitions.
Atabekyan has performed everywhere from the Massachusetts State House in Boston, the City Hall of Paris, France, and Carnegie Hall in New York to performances in Greece, Armenia, and and Australia. She was the winner of the special Chantal Auber Prize in Paris and winner of the Republican Piano Competition for Young Pianists in Yerevan, Armenia, among others.
When asked what her favorite experiences were throughout her performances, Gaspar said that “there’s too many to pick from.”
“For sure the ones with live orchestras were my favorite,” she recalled. “I’ve performed in Italy with orchestras, also in Salem, Massachusetts. We’ve also done some concerts over the summer that I thought were amazing, too.”
Atabekyan shared that same sentiment for the Salem appearance.
“In Salem, it was a really delightful celebration; 5,000 people attended. It was an open-air concert, and Emilya with an orchestra, and that was really amazing to see,” she said. “To have that many people attend, and she received standing ovations… It was really very moving.”
Atabekyan explained that when her and her daughter perform in Boston, it’s a chance to connect with friends they’ve made along the way.
Gaspar said, “Whether it’s a small concert or a bigger crowd, it’s always enjoyable.”
They continued, explaining what it feels like to perform as a pair.
“It’s a different thing; it’s very special because we have been playing some concerts since I was about 5 or 6 years old,” Gaspar said. “And you can only build that kind of music connection when you play with someone for many years, over a long period of time… It’s very relaxed, and we kind of understand what the other wants to do musically, so it’s much more fun and easier (than performing solo).”
Atabekyan elaborated that when Gaspar was growing up, people would often comment on her “extraordinary” musical talent.
“Also her ability to keep the audience’s attention from start to finish,” Atabekyan said. “From the first moment to the last, and I feel the same way when I’m playing with her on stage… She keeps you in the music from the first moment of the concert to the last, and I love that.”
Gaspar said that when she’s performing — either solo or standing alongside her mother — she hopes that the event leaves a lasting impression on the audience and creates “something different” for them.
“Something that they remember that makes them feel and takes them away from everyday lives… Where people can reflect on things and reconnect with themselves. I hope it’s a special moment for them,” Gaspar said.
Atabekyan expressed that the most touching moments are when she sees tears in the eyes of audience members.
“Sometimes, when they start clapping, I can see tears. They’ll come up to us after the show and talk, and it’s almost like the performances clean the peoples’ spirits,” Atabekyan said. “It’s so touching for me when I see people coming and saying nice things.”
She continued, saying that Nahant Village Church is one of their favorite spots to appear due to what they described as a “warm and welcoming community.”
They added that they’re eyeing an eventual return to the town for future concerts.
