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CT DANCE GROUP TO KICK OFF INGA & ANUSH ARSHAKYAN CONCERT
by Lilly Torosyan
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2012/07/03/ct-dance-group-to-kick-off-inga-anush-arshakyan-concert/
July 3, 2012
On Sat., Nov. 10, the Connecticut branch of the Vanoush Khanamirian
Dance Academy of New York will perform with the sensational sister duo,
Inga and Anush Arshakyan-famous in Armenia for their contemporary
take on traditional music-at Felician College in Lodi, N.J. The
opening act will also include members of the Hamazkayin New Jersey.
The Connecticut-based group has come a long way since its start this
past October.
The Connecticut-based group has come a long way since its start this
past October. In the summer of 2011, Der Gomidas Zohrabian, the pastor
of the St. George Armenian Church of Hartford, Conn., requested the
help of his long-time friend, Tovmas Harutyunyan, a choreographer at
the Vanoush Khanamirian Dance Academy of New York. Zohrabian hoped
that Harutyunyan would teach the art of Armenian dance to some of
the church's youngest parishioners, aged 10-14. Harutyunyan makes
the two-hour trip from New York to Hartford every week for practices.
Lots of toe-stepping and near-tripping occurs during these Wednesday
evening practices in the church basement, but the performers are
determined to master their dances, and are excited to perform with the
Arshakyan sisters. One of the dancers even revealed that she feared
wetting her pants upon meeting the sisters, and freezing up on stage.
In May, the group premiered at the St. George Armenian Church's annual
dance. Dressed in their traditional hand-made costumes straight from
the homeland, locking arms and swaying to the music, each and every
one of them beamed with sweaty happiness. The audience appeared to
be in awe at their passion.
Der Gomidas acknowledges that this activity is a first for the
community, but nevertheless, it is successful. In just a few months,
the children have grown very close and have become strongly connected
to their culture. They are adorably Armenian in every sense of the
word; their grandmothers would be proud.
Sona and Briana Sarkisian He also affirms that by introducing
Armenian dance to his youngest members, he can ensure their active
involvement in the Armenian community later in life. "The Armenian
heritage is heavy in literature, architecture, painting, and art,
but dance specifically is interesting because first of all, they
are group dances (shurjpar), so they bring the children together and
their Armenian genes are awaken[ed]; they feel a cultural connection
to the Armenian ethnicity."
It is no surprise that these children's hard work is starting to pay
off. In just the past eight months, they have already learned nearly
a dozen traditional dances, and have performed in the West Hartford
Town Hall and the annual Russian Heritage Festival in New York,
in addition to local church events. Their performance alongside the
Arshakyan sisters will be their largest yet. In 2010, the Arshakyans
placed 10th in the European singing competition, Eurovision. Ever
since then, they have toured worldwide, spreading their music to the
diaspora communities.
To learn more about their upcoming event, visit www.hyedance.com.
From: Baghdasarian
by Lilly Torosyan
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2012/07/03/ct-dance-group-to-kick-off-inga-anush-arshakyan-concert/
July 3, 2012
On Sat., Nov. 10, the Connecticut branch of the Vanoush Khanamirian
Dance Academy of New York will perform with the sensational sister duo,
Inga and Anush Arshakyan-famous in Armenia for their contemporary
take on traditional music-at Felician College in Lodi, N.J. The
opening act will also include members of the Hamazkayin New Jersey.
The Connecticut-based group has come a long way since its start this
past October.
The Connecticut-based group has come a long way since its start this
past October. In the summer of 2011, Der Gomidas Zohrabian, the pastor
of the St. George Armenian Church of Hartford, Conn., requested the
help of his long-time friend, Tovmas Harutyunyan, a choreographer at
the Vanoush Khanamirian Dance Academy of New York. Zohrabian hoped
that Harutyunyan would teach the art of Armenian dance to some of
the church's youngest parishioners, aged 10-14. Harutyunyan makes
the two-hour trip from New York to Hartford every week for practices.
Lots of toe-stepping and near-tripping occurs during these Wednesday
evening practices in the church basement, but the performers are
determined to master their dances, and are excited to perform with the
Arshakyan sisters. One of the dancers even revealed that she feared
wetting her pants upon meeting the sisters, and freezing up on stage.
In May, the group premiered at the St. George Armenian Church's annual
dance. Dressed in their traditional hand-made costumes straight from
the homeland, locking arms and swaying to the music, each and every
one of them beamed with sweaty happiness. The audience appeared to
be in awe at their passion.
Der Gomidas acknowledges that this activity is a first for the
community, but nevertheless, it is successful. In just a few months,
the children have grown very close and have become strongly connected
to their culture. They are adorably Armenian in every sense of the
word; their grandmothers would be proud.
Sona and Briana Sarkisian He also affirms that by introducing
Armenian dance to his youngest members, he can ensure their active
involvement in the Armenian community later in life. "The Armenian
heritage is heavy in literature, architecture, painting, and art,
but dance specifically is interesting because first of all, they
are group dances (shurjpar), so they bring the children together and
their Armenian genes are awaken[ed]; they feel a cultural connection
to the Armenian ethnicity."
It is no surprise that these children's hard work is starting to pay
off. In just the past eight months, they have already learned nearly
a dozen traditional dances, and have performed in the West Hartford
Town Hall and the annual Russian Heritage Festival in New York,
in addition to local church events. Their performance alongside the
Arshakyan sisters will be their largest yet. In 2010, the Arshakyans
placed 10th in the European singing competition, Eurovision. Ever
since then, they have toured worldwide, spreading their music to the
diaspora communities.
To learn more about their upcoming event, visit www.hyedance.com.
From: Baghdasarian