Norayr Kartashyan was born on 25 August 1967 in the village of Aygedzor in a traditional masons’ family. From 1977 to 1982, Kartashyan attended a music school where he learnt to play the clarinet. From 1982 to 1986, Kartashyan attended a musical college specializing in duduk playing. From 1986 to 1988, Kartashyan served in the USSR Armed Forces.
Kartashyan also learned to play other Armenian folk instruments, particularly blul (Armenian flute), focusing on forgotten or less common instruments. Kartashyan plays the Blul, Duduk, Zurna, Shvi, Pku, Parkapzuk.
Kartashyan has collaborated and worked with several bands and artists, including Arto Tunchboyajiyan, Tigran Hamasyan and the Katuner Band.
Being a member of the Armenian Navy Band, Kartashyan has taken part in numerous festivals. In addition, Norayr Kartashyan has released 3 CDs: “Melodies from Antiquity” in 2005; “Tsarastan” in 2010; and Norayr Kartashyan & the VAN Project Live in Concert” in 2012.
Kartashyan is the author of dozens of works. He has been teaching at various musical schools since 1988, transmitting his knowledge to the younger generation. Kartashyan established The VAN Project in 2010 and 'Menua' band in 2015. The Van Project has performed in various regions of Western Armenia, collecting and performing Armenian Music. Kartashyan has restored the Armenian bagpipe (Parkapzuk), introducing it in the Menua band. Norayr Kartashyan's main mission is to restore Armenian music and transmit it to the younger generation.