Anna Mikaelian

Anna Mikaelian is a US-raised, Yerevan-based pianist, educator, and social entrepreneur whose life’s work is rooted in the belief that music can transform individuals and communities. In 2013, she founded Sistema Armenia, introducing the El Sistema music education model to Armenia and opening pathways for children from all backgrounds to experience music as a force for joy, collaboration, and social connection.

As Executive Director of the Nexus Center for the Arts, Anna builds inclusive spaces where learners of all ages explore music collaboratively and develop empathy, creativity, and collective joy. Nexus also supports Nexus Artists, a multi-genre collective that brings musicians and arts practitioners together in innovative projects that celebrate cultural diversity and artistic freedom.

In response to the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Anna rapidly mobilised Nexus for Artsakh to provide displaced families and children with access to music and art education across Yerevan and the regions, demonstrating her belief that artistic expression can be a powerful tool for healing and resilience.

A passionate pianist and collaborator, Anna continues to perform, teach, and advocate for the arts as essential to human connection, dignity, and social wellbeing. Through her leadership, music becomes a language of courage, compassion, and shared possibility.