Victoria Symonian, Accompanist,
By Dorothy Maddux          

   Fingers nimbly flying across the keys of the piano or stroking the organ keyboard, Victoria Symonian is now a familiar sight as she undergirds the worship  service at La Cañada United Methodist Church with her outstanding  musical gifts.
   "I am thrilled that Vica is (part) of our capable staff   at LCUMC," said music director David Wulff.  "She (fits) right in to our church's musical family."
   Vica (Veekah) has traveled a long distance over the years, gathering impressive credentials and experience along the way.  Born in Armenia, Vica credits her parents with providing the way for her to study in St. Petersburg, Russia.  Only 15 years old when she left home, Vica       received her bachelor's degree in piano performance with a minor in accompanying from the Mussorgsky College of Music in St. Petersburg.  She returned to Armenia where she earned a master's degree in  piano studies from   Yerevan State Conservatory.  She then taught there at the Komitas State Conservatory and the Spendiarian Music School.
   "I am the only musician in my family," says Vica.  (Her brother and sister are doctors,) but my mother loved music, especially opera."
   Vica arrived in the United States in 1993 with limited English.  She had studied English from fourth to eighth grade and also learned to speak French, but Russian was her first language.  She worked at First United Methodist Church of Monterey Park and says she is very grateful for their encouragement and support.  She is now on staff at Cal State LA and is a teacher and accompanist with the children's and adult choir of the Lark Musical society.
   Vica came to La Cañada United Methodist Church in March of 2002.
   "I like everything about being here at LCUMC," says Vica. "Everyone is very kind and welcoming and I truly enjoy playing for the church services and accompanying the choir."
Vica, whose gentle demeanor often breaks into a flashing smile and delightful chuckle, admits that she is a very busy lady these days and often wishes she had a bit more time for herself.
"I love to read and I love to travel, but my schedule makes it hard to do as much as I would like, but I feel very fortunate to be here and to be working at LCUMC."
   If you have not already met Vica, be sure to greet her on a Sunday morning.  And ask her about Armenian apricots!  She misses that sweet specialty of her home country and has not yet found any to compare here.  Surely someone in the congregation has a back-yard tree that will satisfy that taste.