EPIC Impact Society

EPIC Impact Society Podcast - Dalida Arakelian (Founder, Mindful Music Program; Classically-trained Pianist; Creative Strategist)

May 04, 2021
EPIC Impact Society
EPIC Impact Society Podcast - Dalida Arakelian (Founder, Mindful Music Program; Classically-trained Pianist; Creative Strategist)
Show Notes

Dalida Arakelian classically-trained pianist, self-taught composer, and creative strategist. She is most excited about being able to help any listener feel understood and comforted through the piano keys. Her musical style is free flowing evoking relaxation, inspiration, and introspection.

As an Armenian-American raised in Santa Barbara, California, Dalida grew up in a contrast between deep heritage and the seaside Californian lifestyle.  Her experiences led her to value the power of culture, stories, and the natural world in how it shapes our lives, which can be heard in her sound. As a classically-trained pianist, she performed with orchestras at age 13 and 17, and continued to privately study piano with Walter Ponce, distinguished faculty, at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music.  Her music is inspired by what happens in her life, such as a hopeful dream, a loving conversation, a difficult argument, or a heartbreaking loss.  She doesn’t follow any rules on the piano; there are no limits, because her goal is to simply be honest, to connect, and to comfort.

With the help of her mentor Jane Semel, she launched the Mindful Music Program, which became a part of the Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior. For over half a decade (Pre-COVID, of course) the program hosted regular concerts for health professionals, patients, and scientists. During COVID-19 she brought the Mindful Music Program to the virtual space via YouTube garnering thousands of views per video concert episode.  Her work has been featured on HuffPost, TedX UCLA, International Arts & Health Conference in the UK, as well as Southern California newspapers.

She brought the Mindful Music Program to a place it can exist and thrive without her leadership.  She now takes on creative projects by day at Oniracom in the marketing and business strategy space (to keep a roof over her head) while continuing her musical journey.  She received her Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Public Health from UCLA. She went on to earn a Certificate in Leadership and Management from the UCLA Anderson School of Management, Executive Program.