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SHUSHI ARMENIAN DANCE ENSEMBLE: A PERFORMANCE OF PATRIOTISM AND PASSION
by Talin Kupelian
http://www.reporter.am/go/article/2011-11-24-shushi-armenian-dance-ensemble-a-performance-of-patriotism-and-passion-
Published: Thursday November 24, 2011
Shushi dancers perform Lezginka.
Related Articles
Shushi dancers contribute to Armenia Fund
Shushi dancers astound with two Florida performances
Lodi, N.J. - Shushi Armenian Dance Ensemble delivered what it
promised, a magnificent celebration of three anniversaries- Armenia's
Independence, Karabagh's Independence and the 20th anniversary of
the foundation of Shushi Dance Ensemble.
It was a day of flags - Armenian tricolor flags- sprinkled throughout
the packed auditorium of Felician College in Lodi, New Jersey. The
ingredients were in place - a packed house, organized volunteers,
coordination and cooperation, energetic young dancers, talented
musicians, the professional St. Vartan Cathedral Choir with maestro
Khoren Mekanejian, and a professional staff of sound engineers
and stage managers, the likes of which we have never seen in our
community. The smiles, the excitement and the energy were electrifying
-- the camaraderie among all the members was something to be proud of.
We all know about the power failure in New Jersey as a result of the
Halloween snow. Felician College was also experiencing a power outage.
It was a miracle that the show went ahead as planned. The last two
days were a roller-coaster for the organizers of the concert, but
everyone came through with flying colors.
With rumors of a cancellation spreading on the internet, members and
parents alike put an end to those rumors by posting on Facebook,
Twitter, email and any social media network they knew, all within
minutes of each other, confirming to the public that the show will
go on as planned and on schedule. The concern and quick actions of
everyone proved that Shushi is one family and they all worked together
to ensure the success of this program.
Backstage the scene was just as touching. In one corner there was a
group of boys teaching a fellow Shushi member the words to a song to
make sure he could get on stage to perform proudly and confidently. In
another room there was a group of young girls holding hands in a
circle and praying right before the performance. In the next room,
there were a few girls helping each other with their hair and costumes.
It takes more than one person to raise the curtains of a production
such as the one we witnessed on October 30, 2011. The team effort is
most commendable!
Every detail was accounted for - onstage, off stage, above stage. As
every guest walked into the main entrance, they were led to the red
carpet area where they took pictures in front of a large banner and
Shushi logos. Once the guests walked into the auditorium they were
greeted by the lovely senior members of the ensemble in the most
gorgeous costumes, as they ushered the guests to their seats.
Walking into the auditorium, the room was filled with 800 flags
placed carefully on every other chair. There was music playing in
the background as a beautiful slideshow was being presented on both
sides of the room with pictures reminiscing the 20 year history of
the Shushi Dance Ensemble.
Once the program began, audience members waved the flags to the
patriotic opening number of Verakangnir Giligia, as 150 performers
presented a powerful beginning that set the stage for the next two
hours of the most exhilarating program. During the entire performance
the slideshow continued, this time with pictures from Armenia that
reflected the music and dance that was being performed on stage.
The mood was positive, the dancers were ready, the colorful costumes,
most of which were designed and sewn in Armenia including the choir and
musicians' costumes, added so much life, the very talented musicians -
singers Hovig Krikorian, Armen Hovanessian, Salbi Mailyan and Lillian
added just the right balance with their live singing.
Musical director, Andranik Mouradian, who has been a permanent
fixture in Shushi performances for over 10 years, delivered the music
beautifully and directed his band of 5 musicians. In his words,
"I have worked with many musicians and high profile directors and
choreographers from all over the world. I have never encountered anyone
who has been involved in every aspect of a program of this magnitude
with so much attention to detail as Seta Paskalian-Kantardjian."
As usual Laurie Dabaghian was impressive with her passionate voice.
She recited the poems dedicated to Armenian heroes.
It was a professionally staged production. It was seamless. With
a strong advertising campaign on Cablevision, television and radio
interviews, social media networks, and mass mailing, the organizers
were determined to ensure a packed auditorium, and the mission was
accomplished!
In the audience were, Archbishop Yeghishe Gizirian, Dean of St. Vartan
Cathedral Father Mardiros Chevian, Armenia's representative to the
United Nations Garen Nazarian, the program benefactors Mr. & Mrs.
Hagop and Ica Kouyoumdjian, along with other prominent figures in
our community.
Congratulations to the artistic director and choreographer of Shushi
Dance Ensemble, Mrs. Seta Paskalian-Kantardjian. She has harnessed a
lot of talent and energy over the past 20 years. Seta's dedication
and commitment to the dance ensemble is most commendable. She has
earned the love and respect of all. Bravo Seta and bravo her knights
in shining armor who support Seta in her noble mission.
Vahan Tekeyan said it so beautifully: It is all about "friends coming
together to do the impossible possible."
Shushi's 20th anniversary celebrations will continue throughout this
season as the ensemble travels to California, and will conclude in
July of 2012 with a South American tour of Argentina and Uruguay.
For information on the ensemble, visit www.shushidance.org.
by Talin Kupelian
http://www.reporter.am/go/article/2011-11-24-shushi-armenian-dance-ensemble-a-performance-of-patriotism-and-passion-
Published: Thursday November 24, 2011
Shushi dancers perform Lezginka.
Related Articles
Shushi dancers contribute to Armenia Fund
Shushi dancers astound with two Florida performances
Lodi, N.J. - Shushi Armenian Dance Ensemble delivered what it
promised, a magnificent celebration of three anniversaries- Armenia's
Independence, Karabagh's Independence and the 20th anniversary of
the foundation of Shushi Dance Ensemble.
It was a day of flags - Armenian tricolor flags- sprinkled throughout
the packed auditorium of Felician College in Lodi, New Jersey. The
ingredients were in place - a packed house, organized volunteers,
coordination and cooperation, energetic young dancers, talented
musicians, the professional St. Vartan Cathedral Choir with maestro
Khoren Mekanejian, and a professional staff of sound engineers
and stage managers, the likes of which we have never seen in our
community. The smiles, the excitement and the energy were electrifying
-- the camaraderie among all the members was something to be proud of.
We all know about the power failure in New Jersey as a result of the
Halloween snow. Felician College was also experiencing a power outage.
It was a miracle that the show went ahead as planned. The last two
days were a roller-coaster for the organizers of the concert, but
everyone came through with flying colors.
With rumors of a cancellation spreading on the internet, members and
parents alike put an end to those rumors by posting on Facebook,
Twitter, email and any social media network they knew, all within
minutes of each other, confirming to the public that the show will
go on as planned and on schedule. The concern and quick actions of
everyone proved that Shushi is one family and they all worked together
to ensure the success of this program.
Backstage the scene was just as touching. In one corner there was a
group of boys teaching a fellow Shushi member the words to a song to
make sure he could get on stage to perform proudly and confidently. In
another room there was a group of young girls holding hands in a
circle and praying right before the performance. In the next room,
there were a few girls helping each other with their hair and costumes.
It takes more than one person to raise the curtains of a production
such as the one we witnessed on October 30, 2011. The team effort is
most commendable!
Every detail was accounted for - onstage, off stage, above stage. As
every guest walked into the main entrance, they were led to the red
carpet area where they took pictures in front of a large banner and
Shushi logos. Once the guests walked into the auditorium they were
greeted by the lovely senior members of the ensemble in the most
gorgeous costumes, as they ushered the guests to their seats.
Walking into the auditorium, the room was filled with 800 flags
placed carefully on every other chair. There was music playing in
the background as a beautiful slideshow was being presented on both
sides of the room with pictures reminiscing the 20 year history of
the Shushi Dance Ensemble.
Once the program began, audience members waved the flags to the
patriotic opening number of Verakangnir Giligia, as 150 performers
presented a powerful beginning that set the stage for the next two
hours of the most exhilarating program. During the entire performance
the slideshow continued, this time with pictures from Armenia that
reflected the music and dance that was being performed on stage.
The mood was positive, the dancers were ready, the colorful costumes,
most of which were designed and sewn in Armenia including the choir and
musicians' costumes, added so much life, the very talented musicians -
singers Hovig Krikorian, Armen Hovanessian, Salbi Mailyan and Lillian
added just the right balance with their live singing.
Musical director, Andranik Mouradian, who has been a permanent
fixture in Shushi performances for over 10 years, delivered the music
beautifully and directed his band of 5 musicians. In his words,
"I have worked with many musicians and high profile directors and
choreographers from all over the world. I have never encountered anyone
who has been involved in every aspect of a program of this magnitude
with so much attention to detail as Seta Paskalian-Kantardjian."
As usual Laurie Dabaghian was impressive with her passionate voice.
She recited the poems dedicated to Armenian heroes.
It was a professionally staged production. It was seamless. With
a strong advertising campaign on Cablevision, television and radio
interviews, social media networks, and mass mailing, the organizers
were determined to ensure a packed auditorium, and the mission was
accomplished!
In the audience were, Archbishop Yeghishe Gizirian, Dean of St. Vartan
Cathedral Father Mardiros Chevian, Armenia's representative to the
United Nations Garen Nazarian, the program benefactors Mr. & Mrs.
Hagop and Ica Kouyoumdjian, along with other prominent figures in
our community.
Congratulations to the artistic director and choreographer of Shushi
Dance Ensemble, Mrs. Seta Paskalian-Kantardjian. She has harnessed a
lot of talent and energy over the past 20 years. Seta's dedication
and commitment to the dance ensemble is most commendable. She has
earned the love and respect of all. Bravo Seta and bravo her knights
in shining armor who support Seta in her noble mission.
Vahan Tekeyan said it so beautifully: It is all about "friends coming
together to do the impossible possible."
Shushi's 20th anniversary celebrations will continue throughout this
season as the ensemble travels to California, and will conclude in
July of 2012 with a South American tour of Argentina and Uruguay.
For information on the ensemble, visit www.shushidance.org.