'EREBOUNI' ADDS TO ARMENIAN CULTURAL LIFE IN BOSTON
Armenian Weekly
September 5, 2012
WATERTOWN, Mass.-The second season of Hamazkayin-Boston's Erebouni
Dance School and Ensemble is about to start. The school went from
0 to 60 students in 7 months, and a great performance at the end of
the inaugural season left every parent bragging about their child's
participation. Luckily, there is more to come, as promised by Arman
Mnatsakanyan, the artistic director of the school.
Members of the dance school In October 2011, Hamazkayin-Boston,
under Mnatsakanyan's leadership, formed the school in response to the
community's demands for such an institution. The mission of the school
is to provide an educational environment for children where they can
learn the fundamentals of the art of dance in a structured manner.
"We help children develop correct posture, body alignment, strength,
flexibility, and coordination before instructing them in any specific
dance discipline," said Mnatsakanyan, adding that "this is a holistic
approach in dance art education that is utilized in most professional
schools."
In June 2012, seven months after opening its doors, Erebouni Dance
School and Ensemble students took the stage at Watertown High School's
Shaw Auditorium, where they presented traditional Armenian dances
through fresh and exciting expression-and with confidence and poise.
In the presence of more than 500 guests, the students performed
14 pieces ranging from regional numbers such as "Taroni Par" (Taron
Dance) to "Martakan Lorke," and finished with a rousing performance of
"Hayer Miatsek" (Armenians Unite).
In November, the children will perform on stage with Inga and Anoush
Arshakyan at the duo's Boston debut. From Eurovision to the Americas
and beyond, Inga and Anoush have entertained and delighted audiences
all over the world. And now Erebouni students will experience the
dazzle of fame and the beauty of our pop culture first-hand. Inga and
Anoush will perform in New Jersey on Nov. 10, and in Watertown on Nov.
11. Tickets for both shows may be purchased online at
www.itsmyseat.com/hamazkayiner/.
Members of Hamazkayin-Boston believe that a live orchestra to
accompany the dancers' performance enhances the learning process
and brings greater enjoyment to the audience. To that end, Martin
Haroutunian led a group of professional musicians to provide live
music at Erebouni's inaugural performance. Haroutunian, the artistic
director of the Arev Armenian Folk Ensemble and a favorite of the New
England Armenian community, believes that "our primary goal is to
teach Armenian traditional folk dances to our children. We believe
this to be one way of keeping our traditions alive in the hearts of
our younger generations."
The school opens its second season this September. If you are looking
for a nurturing environment for your child to connect with his or
her roots, to make new friendships while exercising and building
healthy lifestyle habits, look no further. Visit us online at
www.hamazkayin-usa.org/erebouni or call (617) 331-0426 for more
information or to register.
About the artistic director
Arman Mnatsakanyan began his dancing career at the Pioneer Palace
Youth Group in Yerevan, Armenia. He was later accepted into the
Armenian State School of Dance. In 1995, he joined the "Friendship"
State Dance Ensemble, where he became one of the premier soloists,
performing in many countries. He also studied in the State Pedagogical
University's dance department. Mnatsakanyan founded the "Golden Age"
Dance Ensemble and became its artistic director, winning numerous
awards and medals. He was the coach of the winning team of Armenia's
"Dancing with the Stars" equivalent during its second season (Shant
TV's Folk Dances 2 program).
Armenian Weekly
September 5, 2012
WATERTOWN, Mass.-The second season of Hamazkayin-Boston's Erebouni
Dance School and Ensemble is about to start. The school went from
0 to 60 students in 7 months, and a great performance at the end of
the inaugural season left every parent bragging about their child's
participation. Luckily, there is more to come, as promised by Arman
Mnatsakanyan, the artistic director of the school.
Members of the dance school In October 2011, Hamazkayin-Boston,
under Mnatsakanyan's leadership, formed the school in response to the
community's demands for such an institution. The mission of the school
is to provide an educational environment for children where they can
learn the fundamentals of the art of dance in a structured manner.
"We help children develop correct posture, body alignment, strength,
flexibility, and coordination before instructing them in any specific
dance discipline," said Mnatsakanyan, adding that "this is a holistic
approach in dance art education that is utilized in most professional
schools."
In June 2012, seven months after opening its doors, Erebouni Dance
School and Ensemble students took the stage at Watertown High School's
Shaw Auditorium, where they presented traditional Armenian dances
through fresh and exciting expression-and with confidence and poise.
In the presence of more than 500 guests, the students performed
14 pieces ranging from regional numbers such as "Taroni Par" (Taron
Dance) to "Martakan Lorke," and finished with a rousing performance of
"Hayer Miatsek" (Armenians Unite).
In November, the children will perform on stage with Inga and Anoush
Arshakyan at the duo's Boston debut. From Eurovision to the Americas
and beyond, Inga and Anoush have entertained and delighted audiences
all over the world. And now Erebouni students will experience the
dazzle of fame and the beauty of our pop culture first-hand. Inga and
Anoush will perform in New Jersey on Nov. 10, and in Watertown on Nov.
11. Tickets for both shows may be purchased online at
www.itsmyseat.com/hamazkayiner/.
Members of Hamazkayin-Boston believe that a live orchestra to
accompany the dancers' performance enhances the learning process
and brings greater enjoyment to the audience. To that end, Martin
Haroutunian led a group of professional musicians to provide live
music at Erebouni's inaugural performance. Haroutunian, the artistic
director of the Arev Armenian Folk Ensemble and a favorite of the New
England Armenian community, believes that "our primary goal is to
teach Armenian traditional folk dances to our children. We believe
this to be one way of keeping our traditions alive in the hearts of
our younger generations."
The school opens its second season this September. If you are looking
for a nurturing environment for your child to connect with his or
her roots, to make new friendships while exercising and building
healthy lifestyle habits, look no further. Visit us online at
www.hamazkayin-usa.org/erebouni or call (617) 331-0426 for more
information or to register.
About the artistic director
Arman Mnatsakanyan began his dancing career at the Pioneer Palace
Youth Group in Yerevan, Armenia. He was later accepted into the
Armenian State School of Dance. In 1995, he joined the "Friendship"
State Dance Ensemble, where he became one of the premier soloists,
performing in many countries. He also studied in the State Pedagogical
University's dance department. Mnatsakanyan founded the "Golden Age"
Dance Ensemble and became its artistic director, winning numerous
awards and medals. He was the coach of the winning team of Armenia's
"Dancing with the Stars" equivalent during its second season (Shant
TV's Folk Dances 2 program).