ATHENS, JULY 9, NOYAN TAPAN - ARMENIANS TODAY. American Armenian musician Derek Shirinian did not have any opportunity to deal with Armenian culture and customs in his childhood because he grew up in the city of Santa-Cruz, California, where only two Armenian families live. "I did not grow up among Armenians but when we moved to Los Angeles, Burbank, there were a lot of Armenians and I was surrounded by the representatives of my nation for the first time in my life," the musician said. The Greek Azat Or newspaper wrote that the mother of the musician is Greek, "I am also proud of my Greek roots. The Armenians and Greeks have a lot of similarities. My family influenced my decision of choosing a profession. My parents hired a music teacher when I was only five. We had a piano at home and they encouraged me to play." The well-known musician, pianist of the internationally famous group Planet-X Derek Shirinian became famous in the world of music playing clavier instruments in Dream Theatre group. After working five years at that group he left it and in 1999 with drummer Virgil Donati and guitarist Tony Mackalpain released his first Planet-X disk. With the same musicians he founded the Planet-X group, the name of which he took from the disk's name. Shirinian said about that: "When I wrote the music of my first disk, it seemed that I did a work which was beyond my powers. That music was uncommon, I came to the bounds of my powers, I was infatuated with music so much that it seemed that I was in an unknown, mysterious planet, that is why I chose the name Planet-X. Besides this group, Shirinian with his exceptional piano peformances cooperates with famous musicians. "Every musician has his instrument. No matter how much I like guitar or any other instrument mine is the clavier instrument," the musician said. Derek Shirinian said about inspiration, "Everything which is beautiful can inspire me, an art work, a beautiful woman, strong music. I take the best from life and return in the way of music." The musician took part in the events dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Djivan Gasparian. "I am happy to know the great master of duduk (Armenian national pipe). I got acquainted with him with the help of my friend. He knew that I had written a work devoted to my grandmother and suggested inviting Djivan to play that work. Djivan wept when he saw my grandmother's photo. My grandmother had fought against the Turks and had a photo in a military uniform," he said going into the details, "I am an Armenian of the third generation born in America. My grandfather Armenak moved from Sebastia to the United States' Utah state in 1916. I was the first from our family to be in Armenia." Derek Shirinian is going to record a new album which will have a real "derek" direction.

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