Ariana Hartunian-Sowa is the Manager of Student Services at JAZZ HOUSE KiDS as well as an alto saxophonist and oboist. She is a proud alumna of the organization, first joining at 15 years old to study at the JAZZ HOUSE Summer Workshop. She fell in love with the organization and became fascinated by the mission, community, and the magic of nonprofits. Graduating from Rutgers Mason Gross School of the Arts with degrees in Jazz Studies and Art History, she interned and worked in the Student Services department throughout college to progress their summer and CHiCA POWER programming. She now puts her passion and skills to support the same programs that framed her early artist development. At JAZZ HOUSE she oversees scholarships, student support, communication, registration, family billing, the front desk team, volunteering and the parent committee.
On the stage, her work bridges jazz, culture storytelling, and experimental performance. Rooted in her Iranian-Armenian heritage, Ariana leads her band in performances of original compositions, jazz, often incorporating Armenian music and Iranian poetry. Her artistic voice is shaped by a deep commitment to improvisation, heritage, and the expansion of female presence in jazz and interdisciplinary art spaces. She brings this same excitement and passion to her career on and off the stage.