October 2004 
Raised in Lebanon and the U.S., this talented singer offers an unusual combo: traditional ethnic songs and American standards. A song about betrayal, “Siroun Manoushag” is an affecting vocal with flute[sax]. Cole Porter’s “Every Time We Say Goodbye” and“Ge Out of Town” are rendered expertly by Sarine, whose voice and sensitive, skillful backup band sound quite like Norah Jones. Music supervisors should take note.
"Sarine Balian's music skillfully explores multiple sonic and cultural spaces. The respect with which she treats the diverse traditions she draws upon in performance is evident both on and offstage. Such a blending is not often found in today's music and must be heard."
Teacher, bassist, vocalist, cedar flautist"Sarine combines a passion for jazz and soulful Armenian music in her unique and compelling repertoire. In any language, her voice is smooth and full of emotion."
"listening to Sarine's music one taps into a soothing dimension of eclectic nuances , at times sensuous & yet melancholic - there is tenderness & depth in her voice - her tunes are diverse yet simple - a lovely genre of soulful lyrics with hints of her ethnic tones ... "
"Juxtaposed"
Saucy Records
January 2007
A heterogeneous yet interesting compilation of songs for a special voice.
Of Armenian descent and grown up in Lebanon in the 80’s, Sarine Balian lives in the USA where she keeps in touch with her native community. She sings in the Armenian, English and Spanish language as she considers that a language is never enough to express what she as an artist is supposed to render. Thus, familiar Latin and jazz compositions coexist with a typical eastern melancholy free of references to ethnic commonplace. It proves her sound musical background perfection in terms of technique and the overall outcome is remarkable. Such a release should at least deserve a bit of a better production.
'BESAME MUCHO' AND 'CRANES' IN ONE CD By Susanna Margarian
AZG Armenian Daily
06/09/2006
Singer Sarine Balian is first time in Armenia. Urged by Narek Harutyunian, founder of Narekatsi Art Center, she arrived in to see her fatherland about which she only heard. "I have been here for a week and I learn new things and meet new faces every day. I have never been to a place where everything is written in Armenian, everyone speaks Armenian and all these is very exciting. Diasporans Armenians here do and feel the same things and we have the same nature and character but we seldom talk of that," she says.
Sarine did not come empty-handed; she brought her first album titled "Juxtaposed" that saw the light lately. Her live performance will take place at Narekatsi Center on September 12.
Born in Lebanon, she lived in America and performs jazz. She was captured by the freedom of jazz music when still a student at San Francisco University.
"Jazz for me was a door of revelations that grants possibility of advancement and reincarnation. For instance, jazz versions of Armenian songs are very close to my heart," Sarine says.
She also teaches and thinks that contact with her students helps to even more crystallize her art.
"Children prefer joyous and rhythmic songs. Regardless a song's or a dance's ethnic background people prefer the one that creates good mood," she says.
With regard to "Juxtaposed", it must be noted that it's a wonderful collection of diverse ethnic songs by which Sarine once again confirms that love, human sadness and emotions are the same for all people despite ethnic, linguistic and cultural differences.
"Sarine Balian's vocals are beautifully introspective, both uplifting and
reflective, with that compelling quality that opens doors towards a
unique dialogue with the ancestral, and framed always within her own powerful
sense of personal history and social justice".
