Interest towards Armenian folk instruments has considerably declined over the last years.

Concerned with the situation, in 2005, by the initiative of National Artist of Armenia Ara Gevorgian and the financial support of Alfred Terzibashian (Lebanon) the Naregatsi Art Institute (NAI) started free Tar and Kamancha classes.

Over a course of three years some 20 students from the capital Yerevan and other regions of Armenia took Tar and Kamancha classes at the center; studying under the guidance of some of the Republic’s most acclaimed masters. During their studies the students also received scholarships set by Mr. Terzibashian. All organizational costs were covered by NAI. The initiative also enjoyed the support of the Baghdadian brothers. 

The graduation ceremony of Tar and Kamancha students will take place on March 10, 2008, 2 pm at the NAI Yerevan center. The students will come out with performances and will be granted graduation certificates.