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COAF gala: Sam Simonian, Nathan Lane, Andrea Martin honored
by Florence Avakian
http://www.reporter.am/go/article/2013-01-25-coaf-gala-sam-simonian-nathan-lane-andrea-martin-honored
Published: Friday January 25, 2013
Sylva and Sam Simonian with guests from Armenia's rural villages.
NEW YORK - Amid the magic of candle-lit pools of water, ancient
temples, and flower-bedecked tables, the ninth annual Children of
Armenia Fund (COAF) gala was again held in the elegant Temple of
Dendur of the Sackler Wing of the world famous Metropolitan Museum of
Art, on December 13.
It was a gala occasion for an organization that is unique in reaching,
bringing to life, and continuing to support fully neglected rural
regions in Armenia.
"COAF started nine years ago when we saw the dire conditions of the
rural communities in Armenia," said COAF founder and chairman, Dr.
Garo Armen who has since made 41 round trips to the Armenian homeland.
Since its inception, COAF has been directly implementing education,
health, social and economic development programs in the rural villages
of Armenia. "We saw the void in the villages, and we knew that
something had to be done. We're motivated by children who have so
little."
Among the 300 in attendance were special guests Diocesan Primate
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Prelacy Vicar General Bishop Anoushavan
Tanielian, United Nations Security Council Director Dr. Movses
Abelian, Armenia's Ambassador to the United Nations Garen Nazarian,
former American Ambassador to Armenia John Evans, and well known
pianist Sahan Arzruni.
The event began with a sumptuous reception, followed by a full course
dinner with music accompaniment, during which two outstanding
individuals were honored. Sam Simonian, the founder of the TUMO Center
for Creative Technologies, was awarded the 2012 Save A Generation
Humanitarian Award, presented by Dr. Garo Armen. In a brief message of
appreciation, Simonian stated that he "is sharing this honor with his
wife Silva, and family, as well as those who made our trip with us
from Beirut."
Receiving the 2012 COAF Humanitarian Award was Emmy Award winning
actor Nathan Lane honored for his 16-year contribution and support to
"Broadway Cares - Equity Fights AIDS". It was presented to him by his
good friend and colleague Andrea Martin.
The program kicked off with a special tribute to Emmy and Tony Award
winning actress Andrea Martin who has been the Mistress of Ceremonies
for COAF galas for six years, and was again the bubbling emcee this
year. Narrated by Nathan Lane in his usual comedic style, via a "This
is Your Life" video, he traced Martin's days from her childhood to her
present celebrated success on Broadway. Martin who has traveled to the
affected villages in Armenia with Dr. Armen was given a special
statuette in appreciation of her longtime commitment to COAF.
Talented youth from Armenia
Among the highlights of the program were several children from Armenia
who stunned the crowd with their special musical gifts, garnering
lengthy standing ovations.
Performers included 12-year old kanaon player Mane Parsamyan whose
mother had given her the instrument as a gift, and 11-year old shivi
performer Gurgen Avetisyan who was drawn to the shivi as a two and a
half year old, and started playing it at six years of age. Also
delighting the audience were 12-year old violinist Diana Adamyan who
won the 2012 Nutcracker competition in Moscow, and 11-year old
vocalist Argishti Aleksanyan, a student from the village of Dalarig,
Armenia whose soulful rendition of Sayat Nova's "Kamancha" brought the
cheering crowd to its feet.
A video that depicted the dire conditions in rural Armenia, including
structural problems, the lack of heat, textbooks, and adequate
furniture in the schools, also showed how COAF has addressed these
circumstances through its programs. "We have forged partnerships with
people and organizations in the village of Karakert," noted Dr. Armen.
"COAF is unique in that it started with education and expanded to
health, social, and economic development."
All of this "supports the depth and breadth of COAF's work. Young
students have started to become socially responsible. This is a
different level of gratitude. They want to give back to create a more
harmonious world," Dr. Armen noted, introducing former Peace Corps
volunteer Sam Dolgin-Gardner who he said, "lived in our villages, and
was instrumental in starting our English language program."
Life-changing programs
In a heartfelt message in fluent English, 12-year old Anahit
Vardanyan, from the English Language Club in the village of Lernagog,
and whose grandmother is from Ashtarag, called Lernagog "my home". She
said that Lernagog is the "cleanest village in our region. Our school
was very cold and the furniture broken. Now our school is fully
equipped and it is the best school in Lernagog," she announced with a
joyous smile. Thanking the audience, her comment, "What you do changes
our life," resulted in thunderous applause.
Among the many celebrity presenters was Cosima Spender, the
granddaughter of legendary artist Arshile Gorky. She recently finished
directing a film about her grandfather entitled, "Without Gorky". It
details his life from his birthplace in Van, Armenia (Khorkhoum), and
its resulting deep influence on him, to his remarkable career as one
of America's most acclaimed painters. "It is important to give
opportunities to the children in Armenia, so their talents can
blossom," she commented, adding, "This is what COAF is able to do."
Celebrated artist, COAF Board member, and co-chair of the gala,
Michael Aram spoke briefly about the impact of COAF's work, and gave a
toast to all of those who have supported the organization's efforts. A
beautiful Michael Aram metal ornament was included in the gift bag
given to each gala attendee at the end of the night.
To the delight of all present, popular Tony Award winner, vocalist
Brian Stokes-Mitchell sang the well-known song, "What a Wonderful
World", while at the same time accompanying himself on a small
hand-held harmonica. "This song is in honor of the way this
organization has changed, and continues to change so many lives," he
related. Jazz singer Lauriana Mae also entertained with a song to
close out the event.
by Florence Avakian
http://www.reporter.am/go/article/2013-01-25-coaf-gala-sam-simonian-nathan-lane-andrea-martin-honored
Published: Friday January 25, 2013
Sylva and Sam Simonian with guests from Armenia's rural villages.
NEW YORK - Amid the magic of candle-lit pools of water, ancient
temples, and flower-bedecked tables, the ninth annual Children of
Armenia Fund (COAF) gala was again held in the elegant Temple of
Dendur of the Sackler Wing of the world famous Metropolitan Museum of
Art, on December 13.
It was a gala occasion for an organization that is unique in reaching,
bringing to life, and continuing to support fully neglected rural
regions in Armenia.
"COAF started nine years ago when we saw the dire conditions of the
rural communities in Armenia," said COAF founder and chairman, Dr.
Garo Armen who has since made 41 round trips to the Armenian homeland.
Since its inception, COAF has been directly implementing education,
health, social and economic development programs in the rural villages
of Armenia. "We saw the void in the villages, and we knew that
something had to be done. We're motivated by children who have so
little."
Among the 300 in attendance were special guests Diocesan Primate
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Prelacy Vicar General Bishop Anoushavan
Tanielian, United Nations Security Council Director Dr. Movses
Abelian, Armenia's Ambassador to the United Nations Garen Nazarian,
former American Ambassador to Armenia John Evans, and well known
pianist Sahan Arzruni.
The event began with a sumptuous reception, followed by a full course
dinner with music accompaniment, during which two outstanding
individuals were honored. Sam Simonian, the founder of the TUMO Center
for Creative Technologies, was awarded the 2012 Save A Generation
Humanitarian Award, presented by Dr. Garo Armen. In a brief message of
appreciation, Simonian stated that he "is sharing this honor with his
wife Silva, and family, as well as those who made our trip with us
from Beirut."
Receiving the 2012 COAF Humanitarian Award was Emmy Award winning
actor Nathan Lane honored for his 16-year contribution and support to
"Broadway Cares - Equity Fights AIDS". It was presented to him by his
good friend and colleague Andrea Martin.
The program kicked off with a special tribute to Emmy and Tony Award
winning actress Andrea Martin who has been the Mistress of Ceremonies
for COAF galas for six years, and was again the bubbling emcee this
year. Narrated by Nathan Lane in his usual comedic style, via a "This
is Your Life" video, he traced Martin's days from her childhood to her
present celebrated success on Broadway. Martin who has traveled to the
affected villages in Armenia with Dr. Armen was given a special
statuette in appreciation of her longtime commitment to COAF.
Talented youth from Armenia
Among the highlights of the program were several children from Armenia
who stunned the crowd with their special musical gifts, garnering
lengthy standing ovations.
Performers included 12-year old kanaon player Mane Parsamyan whose
mother had given her the instrument as a gift, and 11-year old shivi
performer Gurgen Avetisyan who was drawn to the shivi as a two and a
half year old, and started playing it at six years of age. Also
delighting the audience were 12-year old violinist Diana Adamyan who
won the 2012 Nutcracker competition in Moscow, and 11-year old
vocalist Argishti Aleksanyan, a student from the village of Dalarig,
Armenia whose soulful rendition of Sayat Nova's "Kamancha" brought the
cheering crowd to its feet.
A video that depicted the dire conditions in rural Armenia, including
structural problems, the lack of heat, textbooks, and adequate
furniture in the schools, also showed how COAF has addressed these
circumstances through its programs. "We have forged partnerships with
people and organizations in the village of Karakert," noted Dr. Armen.
"COAF is unique in that it started with education and expanded to
health, social, and economic development."
All of this "supports the depth and breadth of COAF's work. Young
students have started to become socially responsible. This is a
different level of gratitude. They want to give back to create a more
harmonious world," Dr. Armen noted, introducing former Peace Corps
volunteer Sam Dolgin-Gardner who he said, "lived in our villages, and
was instrumental in starting our English language program."
Life-changing programs
In a heartfelt message in fluent English, 12-year old Anahit
Vardanyan, from the English Language Club in the village of Lernagog,
and whose grandmother is from Ashtarag, called Lernagog "my home". She
said that Lernagog is the "cleanest village in our region. Our school
was very cold and the furniture broken. Now our school is fully
equipped and it is the best school in Lernagog," she announced with a
joyous smile. Thanking the audience, her comment, "What you do changes
our life," resulted in thunderous applause.
Among the many celebrity presenters was Cosima Spender, the
granddaughter of legendary artist Arshile Gorky. She recently finished
directing a film about her grandfather entitled, "Without Gorky". It
details his life from his birthplace in Van, Armenia (Khorkhoum), and
its resulting deep influence on him, to his remarkable career as one
of America's most acclaimed painters. "It is important to give
opportunities to the children in Armenia, so their talents can
blossom," she commented, adding, "This is what COAF is able to do."
Celebrated artist, COAF Board member, and co-chair of the gala,
Michael Aram spoke briefly about the impact of COAF's work, and gave a
toast to all of those who have supported the organization's efforts. A
beautiful Michael Aram metal ornament was included in the gift bag
given to each gala attendee at the end of the night.
To the delight of all present, popular Tony Award winner, vocalist
Brian Stokes-Mitchell sang the well-known song, "What a Wonderful
World", while at the same time accompanying himself on a small
hand-held harmonica. "This song is in honor of the way this
organization has changed, and continues to change so many lives," he
related. Jazz singer Lauriana Mae also entertained with a song to
close out the event.