Krikor Hazaros Chetinyan was born in Plovdiv on 22 June 1943. His parents Hazaros and Gadar were Armenians born in Sivri Hisar, Turkey. After the Armenian Genocide, they found shelter in Bulgaria.
In 1970 he graduated with honors from the Bulgarian State Conservatory (now the National Academy of Music) in Sofia, majoring in conducting, under the tutelage of Professor Georgi Robev. While still a student, Chetinyan organized and conducted the Student Mixed Chamber Choir at the Conservatory, which delivered a large scale of concert performances. The choir had two tours in Germany. Even this choir won international awards such as in Bayreuth, FRG. At the same time, he was involved as choirmaster in the Bulgarian Choir Chapelle "Svetoslav Obretenov". In the years 1974-75 he specialized at the Moscow Conservatory under prof. Claudius Borisovich Ptitsa.
His concert career debuted in Plovdiv with the various choral formations of the Plovdiv Singing Society (chamber, women's, men's and large mixed choirs). Krikor Chetinyan led the Plovdiv Singing Society "Angel Bukoreschliev" from 1971 to 1984 as chief conductor.
In 1975 he founded the Student Women's Chamber Choir. Under Chetityan leadership the choir was internationally recognized as one of the finest Bulgarian choirs and was recipient of numerous awards and prizes in the most prestigious Bulgarian and international choral festivals.
Chetinyan has been a lecturer since 1972 and for many years head of the Faculty of Conducting at the Academy of Music and dance (then the Higher Institute of Music and Pedagogy). For a certain period, he was a lecturer at the Bulgarian State Conservatory - Sofia and Director of the State Opera - Plovdiv.
As a world-renowned expert in choral conducting, he has been a jury member and also master classes leader in Italy, France, Germany, Hungary, etc.
In 1983 Krikor Chetinyan was awarded the title of "Honored Artist" and in 2015 - Honorary Citizen of Plovdiv. He has been awarded the Order of Cyril and Methodius (1978), “Silver Lyre” Award (1978) from Union of Bulgarian Musicians and Dancers, honorary badges, medals, diplomas, diplomas and other honors.
In 2012 he founded the new ensemble "Cappella Arte”, which performed several concerts. In 2015 Chetinyan and his former student the conductor Krastin Nastev founded the Creative Laboratory for Introduction to Choral Music. He led the Creative laboratory until his death in 2018. Krastin Nastev continues the legacy of Kirkor Chetityan now days with passionate professionalism and inspiring leadership.
