ɪn nˈaɪntiːnhˈʌndɹɪd nˈaɪnti nˈaɪn hiː sˈɔːt fˈɜːðɚ ɹᵻfˈaɪnmənt ʌv hɪz tɛknˈiːk ænd stˈʌdid ɪn mænhˈæʔn̩ wɪð ˈɑːɹmɛn bɔɪˈeɪdʒiən, tˈiːtʃɚɹ ʌv sˈæmjuːl ɹˈeɪmi ænd dʒˈɛɹəld fˈɪnli.
In 1999 he sought further refinement of his technique and studied in Manhattan with Armen Boyajian, teacher of Samuel Ramey and Gerald Finley.