Sevan Waited Years to Chase Her Dream | Evelina Found Her Voice Through Music

Author Sevan Minaskanian and rising Armenian artist Evelina join Paisan Kapitan for an inspiring conversation about purpose, perseverance, creativity, and never giving up on the dream God placed in your heart.

Sevan shares her remarkable journey from putting her dream on hold to raise a family, to becoming the author of the acclaimed Winter Series. She opens up about overcoming rejection, surviving bullying, and transforming life's challenges into stories that have touched readers around the world.

Joining us from Armenia via Jams Cam, Evelina discusses growing up between Armenia and New York, blending Armenian and English in her music, recording vocals from her own bedroom, and how her background in psychology shapes her songwriting and creative process.

In this episode:

• Sevan Minaskanian's inspiring publishing journey

• Why rejection shouldn't stop your dream

• Evelina's unique songwriting process

• Balancing Armenian heritage with modern creativity

• The Rapid Fire Bonus Round

• A heartfelt prayer to close the show

If you've ever wondered whether it's too late to pursue your passion, this episode will remind you that dreams don't expire—they simply wait for the right moment.

👍 Like the video 💬 Leave a comment and tell us which guest inspired you the most.

🔔 Subscribe and turn on notifications for new episodes of Between the Notes every week!

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🎙️ SUPPORT OUR GUESTS

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🎤 SEVAN MANISKANIAN

Instagram: @sevantime

www.sevantime.com

💨 EVELINA

Instagram: @evelinaxyan

YouTube: @evelinaofficialmusic

Paisan's Outfit Provided by: www.LostAngelsClub.com

🎙️ PAISAN KAPITAN

Instagram: @paisankapitan

www.PaisanKapitan.com

Available for Hosting, Improv and Voiceovers

Email: paisan@hyejams.com

📻 HYE JAMS RADIO

Instagram: @hyejams

www.HyeJams.com

📱 Download the Hye Jams App in the App Store. 🎵 Listen 24/7 to today's hottest Armenian music on the Hye Jams iHeartRadio Channel.

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🎬 PRODUCTION NOTES

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Featured music videos used in this production were provided by, approved by, and used with permission from the writers, producers, and performers of the featured songs, who also appeared as guests in this episode.

Background Music: Morning Light Music License #: 2510-71789

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🎥 PRODUCED BY

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Wayne Lewis Chummy Inc. © 2026 All Rights Reserved.

━━━━━━━━━━━ DISCLAIMER ━━━━━━━━━━━

The views, opinions, statements, allegations, and personal experiences expressed by guests appearing on Between the Notes are solely those of the individual guest and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, positions, or beliefs of Chummy Inc., Hye Jams Radio, Between the Notes, its hosts, producers, sponsors, affiliates, employees, contractors, or representatives. Guests are responsible for their own statements and characterizations of events. Any references to individuals, organizations, companies, productions, events, or public figures are presented as the guest's personal recollections, opinions, or experiences. Chummy Inc., Hye Jams Radio, and Between the Notes make no independent representations regarding the accuracy, completeness, or accuracy of such statements. This program is intended for informational, educational, and entertainment

purposes only. #BetweenTheNotes #HyeJams #PaisanKapitan #SevanMinaskanian #Evelina #ArmenianMusic #AuthorInterview #Songwriter #CreativeJourney #NeverGiveUp

What does it take to turn heartbreak into music... and a pandemic hobby into a thriving business?

On this episode of Between the Notes, Paisan Kapitan sits down with rising Armenian hip-hop artist Franco Drew, who opens up about depression, purpose, the inspiration behind his upcoming album Jolly Kid, and why making an impact matters more than chasing fame.

Then meet Suzy, founder of Shishaya Premium Hookah Catering, who transformed a simple passion into one of Southern California's premier hookah catering companies while balancing a successful career in finance.

It's a conversation about faith, perseverance, entrepreneurship, music, and discovering the purpose God has for your life.

👍 Like, Subscribe & Share

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🎤 FRANCO DREW

Instagram: @francodrew

Music & Videos: Search Franco

Drew Merch: JollyKidCrew.com

💨 SUZY – SHISHAYA PREMIUM HOOKAH CATERING

Instagram: @SHISHAYA_A

🎙️ PAISAN KAPITAN

Instagram: @paisankapitan

www.PaisanKapitan.com

Available for Hosting, Improv and Voiceovers

Email: paisan@hyejams.com

📻 HYE JAMS RADIO

Instagram: @hyejams

www.HyeJams.com

📱 Download the Hye Jams App in the App Store.

🎵 Listen 24/7 to today's hottest Armenian music on the Hye Jams iHeartRadio Channel.

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🎬 PRODUCTION NOTES

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Featured music videos used in this production were provided by, approved by, and used with permission from the writers, producers, and performers of the featured songs, who also appeared as guests in this episode.

Background Music: Morning Light Music License #: 2510-71789

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🎥 PRODUCED BY

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Wayne Lewis

Chummy Inc.

© 2026 All Rights Reserved.

━━━━━━━━━━━ DISCLAIMER ━━━━━━━━━━━

The views, opinions, statements, allegations, and personal experiences expressed by guests appearing on Between the Notes are solely those of the individual guest and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, positions, or beliefs of Chummy Inc., Hye Jams Radio, Between the Notes, its hosts, producers, sponsors, affiliates, employees, contractors, or representatives. Guests are responsible for their own statements and characterizations of events. Any references to individuals, organizations, companies, productions, events, or public figures are presented as the guest's personal recollections, opinions, or experiences. Chummy Inc., Hye Jams Radio, and Between the Notes make no independent representations regarding the accuracy, completeness, or accuracy of such statements. This program is intended for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only.

#BetweenTheNotes #FrancoDrew #Shishaya #Suzy #JollyKid #ArmenianMusic #HipHop #Entrepreneur #Podcast #Armenian #Faith #Purpose #SuccessStory #Business #Music #MentalHealth #Inspiration #HyeJams #PaisanKapitan #Glendale

| Two Incredible Armenian Success Stories |

What does it take to build a legacy?

In this powerful episode of **Between the Notes**, Paisan Kapitan sits down with two men whose journeys couldn't be more different—but whose determination led them to extraordinary success.

🎧 **DJ Apo** shares the untold story behind his rise from violin player to one of the well known entertainment names in the Armenian culture. From remixing legendary Armenian classics and producing club anthems to reading a crowd of thousands, he opens up about the career, the pressure, the mistakes, and the passion that built his name.

🥖 **Arsen Vardanyan**, founder of **K'arsi Bakery & Lavash**, tells one of the most inspiring immigrant stories you'll hear. Growing up in extreme poverty, living with his family inside a converted train wagon, serving in the military, sleeping on restaurant tables while chasing opportunity, winning the Green Card lottery, risking everything to open his first bakery with almost nothing... and ultimately building one of Southern California's fastest-growing Armenian bakeries.

Along the way you'll hear conversations about:

• Growing up with nothing—and refusing to stay there

• Preserving Armenian music for a new generation

• The mindset behind entrepreneurship and financial freedom

• Building businesses through faith, sacrifice, and perseverance

Wedding DJ secrets and unforgettable moments

• Why "Be Different" may be the best business advice you'll ever hear

• The importance of family, purpose, and never giving up

Whether you're chasing a dream, building a business, creating music, or simply looking for inspiration, this episode is packed with practical wisdom, honest stories, and plenty of laughs. As always, Paisan wraps up the show with an encouraging prayer for health, success, and everyone watching at home.

👍 Like, Subscribe & Share

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🎙️ SUPPORT OUR GUESTS

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🎤 DJ APO

Instagram: @DJ.APO

YouTube: @DJAPO

🎵 ARSEN VARDANYAN / K'ARSI LAVASH & BAKERY

Instagram: @KARSILAVASH

Locations:

GLENDALE: 222 N VERDUGO RD. (818)805-2002

BURBANK: 336 S GLENOAKS BLVD (818)805-2004

🎙️ PAISAN KAPITAN

Instagram: @paisankapitan

www.PaisanKapitan.com

Available for Hosting, Improv and Voiceovers* Email: paisan@hyejams.com

📻 HYE JAMS RADIO

Instagram: @hyejams

www.HyeJams.com

📱 Download the Hye Jams App in the App Store

🎵 Listen 24/7 to your favorite Armenian hits on the Hye Jams iHeartRadio channel

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🎬 PRODUCTION NOTES

━━━━━━━━━━━━

Featured music videos used in this production were provided by, approved by, and used with permission from the writers, producers, and performers of the featured songs, who also appeared as guests in this episode. Background Music: Morning Light Music License #: 2510-71789

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🎥 PRODUCED BY

━━━━━━━━━━━

Wayne Lewis

Chummy Inc.

© 2026

All Rights Reserved.

— DISCLAIMER --

The views, opinions, statements, allegations, and personal experiences expressed by guests appearing on Between the Notes are solely those of the individual guest and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, positions, or beliefs of Chummy Inc., Hye Jams Radio, Between the Notes, its hosts, producers, sponsors, affiliates, employees, contractors, or representatives. Guests are responsible for their own statements and characterizations of events. Any references to individuals, organizations, companies, productions, events, or public figures are presented as the guest's personal recollections, opinions, or experiences. Chummy Inc., Hye Jams Radio, and Between the Notes make no independent representations regarding the accuracy, completeness, or veracity of such statements. This program is intended for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only.

#BetweenTheNotes #DJApo #ArsenVardanyan #KArsiBakery #Entrepreneur #ImmigrantStory #SuccessStory #Armenian #ArmenianMusic #Podcast #Business #Faith #Purpose #Inspiration #HyeJams #MusicProducer #SmallBusiness #AmericanDream #Leadership #Motivation