Professor begins service in Armenia

Michael Braz has proven that music is truly a universal language.

While the retired Georgia Southern music pro­fessor was completing a 10-week Peace Corps training course to teach English as a Foreign Language in several Armenian villages, he still found a way to squeeze in several musical teaching opportunities. Not surprising for a man who has been interested in music educa­tion since the age of 10.

“I taught piano to several trainees and language instructors in our villages, as well as arranging the music and rehearsing and conducting the trainee chorus for our swearing-in ceremony,” said Braz, who was sworn in at a ceremony in the Armenian capital of Yerevan.

While many people would be overwhelmed at beginning a new phase of their life in an unfamiliar country, Braz has taken it all in stride. During training, he lived with a host family who helped with his transition to a new culture. “My host family has been friendly, welcoming and sensitive to the fact that I am acclimating to both the country and to a new language with a distinct alphabet,” Braz said.

Braz began his teaching assignment at a local high school in Gyumri – Armenia’s second largest city – a perfect environment in which to share his musical knowledge. “Gyumri has at least a half-dozen music schools and institutes, and I foresee a certain amount of secondary musical collaboration while I am here,” he said.

“The Peace Corps is fond of describing service as ‘The toughest job you’ll ever love,’” said Braz. “Certainly, the concept of 27 months’ training and service requires insight, adaptability and often a keen sense of humor. Though I’m just beginning my real work here in Armenia, I’ve begun to discover much more about myself that will serve me well these next two years.”