TEDxGorky Park Youth

Speakers

Speakers may not be confirmed. Check the event website for the latest lineup.

• Alla Tonoyan

  Alla Tonoyan, 18, is originally from Gyumri and currently lives in Yerevan, where she studies Information Security at Yerevan State University. She is an ambitious and active young woman passionate about helping her community and empowering youth. Alla enjoys drawing, reading, and photography, and has participated in numerous social and international programs. Inspired by sunsets, new acquaintances, new places, and meaningful discussions, she continues to seek personal and collective growth. At TEDxGorkyParkYouth, Alla will speak on the topic of “Motivation and Personal Growth.”

• Anahit Avetisyan

  Anait Avetisyan is an English teacher and content creator. Born in Armenia and raised in Russia, she moved to Moscow at 18 to pursue her bachelor’s degree. At 24, she joined the volunteer program Depi Hayk and came to Gyumri, Armenia, where she taught English at a public school and the American Corner. Enchanted by the city, she decided to stay for 1.5 years, a period she describes as the best time of her life. Over the years, Anait has focused on helping adults overcome language barriers through lessons, music, and culture. She began as an online tutor and gradually expanded her work to include digital products, speaking clubs, and language-learning events.

• Dr. Nicholas Power

  Dr. Nicholas Power is a retired philosophy professor who taught for 25 years at the University of West Florida in Pensacola. He earned his PhD from Temple University in Philadelphia, with a dissertation exploring the nature of consciousness and the future of psychology.

• Kylie Scarzafava

  Kylie Scarzafava is a TEFL Peace Corps Volunteer from Georgia, USA, with a background in Criminal Justice. Passionate about education and cultural exchange, she brings creativity and innovation into the classroom, making English learning engaging and meaningful for her students. Outside teaching, Kylie enjoys reading and swimming. Her experiences reflect a commitment to service, adaptability, and a genuine love for connecting with people through language and learning.

• Melanya Vardanyan

  Melanya Vardanyan,from Akhuryan, is an educator and storyteller passionate about languages, writing, and filmmaking. She has taught Armenian to foreigners and currently teaches English online for schools in Europe, Russia, and a U.S.-based company, blending creativity, languages, and cultures. Melanya has also created short films shared across Armenia and completed an advanced writing course at Columbia University. She believes stories—through language, writing, or film—can preserve cultures and inspire meaningful change.

• Olga Snigireva

  Olga Snigireva is a video producer and creator, specializing in social media content and advertising campaigns for brands and personal brands. Passionate about learning and sharing knowledge, she also enjoys teaching others. Outside of work, Olga embraces an active lifestyle and loves traveling.