22 02 2007 - 'Zulal', meaning clarity

About Zulal- http://www.myspace.com/zulaltrio
'Zulal', meaning clarity, is an Armenian A Cappella Folk Trio whose original arrangements pay tribute to Armenias folk roots while forging imaginative harmonies that add a fresh energy to traditional repertoire. Keeping to the folk tradition, Zulal writes its arrangements in an organic style, using the simplicity of voice to capture the heart of Armenias rural music.

Zulal was formed in the fall of 2002, when three friends began to discuss their love for a cappella singing and their affinity for the sounds and textures of Armenian folk music. In three years, Zulal has developed a solid performance record including a coast-to-coast U.S. tour, an audition for Cirque du Soleil and recently, a nomination for "Best Folk/World Album" at the 2005 Annual Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards, and the distinctions of "Best Newcomer" and "Best Vocal Traditional Album" awards at the 2005 7th Annual Armenian Music Awards.

Zulal has performed in such esteemed venues as the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Weill Recital Hall at New York's Carnegie Hall, the Museum of the City of New York and Bostons Tsai Performance Center along with performances for The Near East Foundation, The Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in Washington DC and the Annual Balkan Festival in New York City.

Teni Apelian, Yeraz Markarian and Anaïs Tekerian have emerged as compelling voices reflecting a rich musical heritage.'
Zulal: General Info
Member Since 11/28/2005
Band Website zulal.org
Band Members

Teni Apelian
Teni's love for a cappella blossomed in a Jazz Choir at Carnegie Mellon, where she graduated with a Master’s in Arts Management and a BA in Professional Writing. Originally from Philadelphia, she has lived in various spots on the east coast and now resides in Cambridge, MA. Teni is thrilled to be part of Zulal, a group that has brought life to her foremost passions and which has allowed her to explore both spirit and sound with two talented women.



Yeraz Markarian
Yeraz Markarian has enjoyed singing from a young age, and participated in an all-female a cappella group at Barnard College, Columbia University as a "bass". A native New Yorker, she has a background in advertising and currently works in Cancer research while she is studying for her PhD in Psychology. Yeraz is proud to take part in rediscovering Armenian folk music, and is overjoyed that what began as an innocent conversation among friends has led to the creation of Zulal.


Anaïs Alexandra Tekerian
Anaïs Tekerian studied theatre at Yale University, where she sang with and directed the Yale Slavic Chorus. Originally from San Francisco, Anaïs now lives in New York, performing in plays and films in and around the city. She is also a poet and a piano teacher. Anaïs is thrilled to be exploring the musical heritage of her ancestors with Zulal.
Sounds Like "This is one of the most beautiful recordings of Armenian folk music I have ever heard. Passionate, playful, and deeply emotional, I found it haunting"
Atom Egoyan, Award-winning Director, International Filmmaker, Writer, Producer


"Within two weeks of being added to the CD Baby database, which now stands at over 73,000 artists, this compelling vocal trio has already become a bestseller. Featuring their original a cappella arrangements of Armenian vocal folk music, Zulal, meaning "clarity," is most appropriately named as they are to be commended for their tight, on-point vocal harmony- the brightness, precision and uncompromised musicality of their performances is evident from start to finish. Presenting songs that explore and convey the sounds of longing, celebration, struggle, desire and reverie, they pay tribute to their motherland's traditions while still bringing a renewed, inventive approach."
Tamara Turner, CDBABY

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