York University PhD student Levon Ichkhanian is the Toronto Musicians’ Association‘s 2022 Musician of the Year. The award recognizes Ichkhanian’s dedication to excellence in all aspects of music and his high standard of professionalism and artistry.
Past winners of this award include Shawn Mendes, Nelly Furtado and former York University Chancellor Oscar Peterson.
Ichkhanian, who studied classical guitar, is known for championing music across genres and mediums. His three studio albums and over 100 commercially released songs include work with the Canadian Idol‘s gold-certified album, India’s national treasure Hariharan and JUNO-nominated Nashville Chamber Orchestra. Ichkhanian is also no stranger to the screen and stage. He’s worked closely with filmmakers like David Suzuki to produce effortlessly moving scores and was instrumental in the pre-production development of choreographer Twyla Tharp’s Come Fly Away.
His passion for live music led him to support stage productions like West Side Story, television productions such as Over the Rainbow (CBC), and concerts including Fashion Cares Concert with special guest Elton John and Barbra Streisand’s Back to Brooklyn Tour. Outside of the recording studio, Ichkhanian founded Global Village Creative Inc, music contracting, coordinating, performance and production service.
His is a recipient of the Governor General of Canada’s acknowledgment for musical excellence, and has been recognized as a musical ambassador to Canada.