Percussionist, educator, and entrepreneur Charles Z. Kalajian, B.M. and M.M., University of Rhode Island, brings a wide range of experience in music performance, education, program development, and leadership.

Charles currently serves as the CTE Programming and Work-Based Learning Coordinator for Providence Public Schools, where he supports career and technical education programming, partnerships, and student work-based learning opportunities. He is also Assistant Director of the Newport Jazz Summer Camp and continues to serve on the faculty at Roger Williams University.

Previously, Charles served as the District Band Director for Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Throughout his career as an educator and performing artist, he has had the opportunity to study and perform at a number of notable venues across the Northeast, including Carnegie Hall in New York City, the Seiji Ozawa Hall and Koussevitzky Music Shed at Tanglewood in Lenox, Massachusetts, Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel in Providence, the Martha’s Vineyard Performing Arts Center in Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts, the George Kent Performance Hall in Westerly, Rhode Island, Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Providence, the Providence Performing Arts Center, and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center.

Charles has studied with several influential mentors in music and music education, including Prof. David Martins of Boston University, Tim Genis, Principal Timpanist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and Craig McNutt, Principal Timpanist of the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra.

His work continues to bridge performance, education, career development, and community engagement, with a focus on creating meaningful opportunities for students and musicians.