Natali, a young talent from Yerevan, has captivated audiences with her voice and stage presence from an incredibly early age. Having started dancing at 3.5 and singing at 4, she has already achieved international recognition, released multiple music videos—including a duet with Mihran Tsarukyan—and dedicated seven years to being a journalist and host on the Public Radio of Armenia.
We sat down with Natali to discuss her inspiring journey, her creative life, and her big dreams for the future.
Natali, you started dancing and singing at a very young age. What attracted you to these art forms? Was there anything specific that inspired you?
When I was very little, my family always played music for me, even when I was just a few months old. It was mostly the music of the famous Armenian composer Arno Babajanyan. I believe that’s what sparked my deep interest in music from an early age.
At a young age, you already achieved success in international competitions. Which of these early victories do you consider the most significant for yourself and why?
I won my first competition – the Big Stage Competition – when I was just 9 years old. It was a big responsibility to represent Armenia, and I was overjoyed that I was the one chosen to do so.
You represented Armenia at "New Wave," "Sanremo," and "Berlin Marguerite." What is it like to represent your country on the international stage? What emotions did you experience?
Representing your country feels a bit different in each place, but there’s one thing in common everywhere: I always get to discover new cultures, explore new repertoires, and I make new friends—many of whom I still keep in touch with today.
Were there any memorable or funny incidents during your trips to international competitions?
During the Sanremo contest, we decided to also visit Monaco. We needed internet access and found out we could get it at a nearby stadium. There happened to be a rugby match going on. We had no idea who was winning, so we were clapping for both teams’ goals! Everyone was looking at us like we were crazy!
To date, you have released four music videos, including a duet with Mihran Tsarukyan. Tell us about this duet. How did the idea for the collaboration come about?
This duet means a lot to me. I learned so much during that time. I had dreamed of seeing that artist since I was very young, and this beautiful collaboration happened—I’m incredibly happy it did.
Tell us about your involvement in the "Live in Peace" project. What does this project mean to you, and why did you decide to join it?
I joined the Live in Peace project a long time ago. It’s a project with strong values, connecting Armenian children from different countries. The songs mainly talk about living peacefully in our homeland—something the whole world needs right now.
What role do you play in the project, and how does your participation manifest itself?
I’m one of the members of the project. I take part in concerts and in filming new music videos. By the way, a new video will be released soon, and I play an active role in it.
You recently held your first charity solo concert. What prompted you to take this step? What emotions did you experience?
Yes, I had a charity solo concert for children living near the border. It was so emotional to see those happy children, especially knowing they rarely get to attend such concerts because they live in remote areas of Armenia. Actually, I’ve also received an invitation to hold a charity concert for Armenian children in the Netherlands—if not this year, I’ll definitely do it next year.
Besides the stage and microphone, you dance, play the violin, and love to paint. How do these activities help you express yourself and influence your main creative work?
I enjoy doing all of these with great pleasure—they give me new ideas and inspiration. Music and art are different forms of expression, but they all come from the same place inside me. Dancing, for example, helps me translate the emotions of a song into physical movement, which is essential for my performances and music videos. Playing the violin is a completely different discipline; it teaches me patience and precision in music theory. Painting is my quiet escape; when I’m working on a canvas, I’m using colors and textures instead of notes and rhythms, which helps me clear my mind and come back to singing with a fresh, renewed perspective. But to manage it all, my family helps me a lot.
Who supports you the most in your creative journey?
That’s easy—my parents and my family! They are the absolute foundation of everything I do. They support me at every competition and encourage me when things get challenging. They handle all the logistics of travel, help me with my schedule, and are always the first to listen to a new song idea. Their belief in me gives me the confidence to pursue my biggest dreams.
You are a young journalist and host on the Public Radio of Armenia. How do you balance this with your music career? What do you enjoy most about working in radio?
Yes, I’ve been working in radio for quite a while. What I love most is that we never script our conversations in advance—they’re always real, honest, and interesting. Balancing everything isn’t easy, but somehow it works out.
