He began schooling in his own hometown, but during the Armenian Genocide his parents sent the young boy to Italy to continue his education at the Collegio Armeno Moorat-Raphael[3] in Venice.
Alemshah continued to introduce the Armenian song to all music lovers: he presented Tchouhadjian's popular comic opera Leblebidji Hor-Hor Agha (The Chickpea Vendor), and Haygagan harsanik (The Armenian Wedding), a composition put together by combining Alemshah's own melodies with popular songs.
Concurrently, Alemshah conducted the Alakyaz Choir on a number of occasions, initially to mark the establishment of the Soviet regime in Armenia, and later to benefit the Armenian War Relief efforts.
His feeling for poetic atmosphere—and the craftsmanship he used to communicate it—was unique, giving his songs a rare musical substance and emotional intensity.
A CD of Alemshah's complete solo songs, performed by Elisabeth Pehlivanian, and some of his choral works rendered by Komitas Chamber Choir have been released.