Melnbārdis was born and raised in Riga, Latvia by his mother Helga Ingeborga Melnbārde, herself an accomplished artist and author.[1]
His violin studies began at the young age of five at Emīls Dārziņš Music School Conservatory of Music, in Riga, (Latvian: Emīla Dārziņa mūzikas vidusskola).[2] Armand began touring internationally at the age of twelve. In 1992 after one of his solo performances in the famous Wagner Hall in Riga, he was offered to continue his education at Stetson University with world renown classical violinist Dr. Alvaro Gomez, where upon his arrival he became the concertmaster of Stetson Symphony. Melnbārdis toured throughout Europe and the USA since the early age of twelve, performing in Germany, France, Finland, Russia, United Kingdom, Wales, Scotland, Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia.
He has performed with a number of Orchestras, in the US and Latvia:
Orlando Bach Festival Symphony
Orlando Symphony
Ft. Myers Symphony
Ft Lauderdale Opera House Orchestra
Brevard Symphony Orchestra
Daytona Beach Symphony & Guild
Ormond Beach Symphony
Space Coast Pops Symphony
Florida Lakes Symphony
Seaside Music Theatre Orchestra
National Opera Symphony of Latvia
Melnbārdi has held the position of concertmaster with the United European International Orchestra Summit Cognac, France; and with the Stetson Symphony Orchestra, the Symphony Beach Club Ormond Beach Orchestra, and the Stetson Chamber Orchestra, all in DeLand, Florida.
Ormond Beach Symphony, and the Stetson University Orchestra have featured him as soloist.
He has been first violinist with the Vio7 String Quartet, the Barron String Quartet, and the Ormond String Quartet.
