Ara Dinkjian was born in New Jersey, USA in 1958. He graduated Hartt College of Music, earning the country’s first and only special degree in the oud (ancient Middle Eastern fretless lute). His groundbreaking and highly influential group NIGHT ARK has recorded four CDs for RCA/BMG and PolyGram/Universal and has given concerts throughout the States, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. His compositions have been recorded throughout the world by renown musicians and singers in 13 different languages. In 2002, Dinkjian was chosen to represent Armenia in the First International Meeting Of The Oud at which twelve of the world’s top oud players gathered in Thessaloniki, Greece for three days of solo concerts and master classes. His composition “Homecoming� (“Dinata, Dinata�) was performed at the closing ceremonies of the 2004 Athens Olympics. His latest CDs, An Armenian In America, Voice Of Armenians, and Peace On Earth were recorded live at the 2005, 2006, and 2007 Jerusalem International Oud Festivals. Ara Dinkjian continues to perform, record, compose, and teach.