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KARAPETYAN LEAPS INTO STARDOM WITH BOSTON BALLET
ARTS | JUNE 5, 2014 1:45 PM
________________________________
By Tom Vartabedian
BOSTON -- As a young lad of 8 pursuing ballet, the girls laugh
and giggled when they saw Avetik Karapetyan in leotards. Today,
he has the last laugh. This is his second year as a soloist with
the Boston Ballet, appearing in productions such as "Swan Lake" and
"Sleeping Beauty."
The virtuoso performer is wrapping up an appearance in a show called
"Etudes" through May 18 before enjoying a respite through the summer
months. He looks back on those formative years and smiles at the
irony. If anything, the growing pains were much like a "Billy Elliott"
scenario where young boys are thought to be more suited for boxing
and soccer than the pas de deux.
"They told me to undress into my underwear," he recalls. "I was a
little embarrassed by it. Over time, you grew accustomed to it."
Swimming was his destiny in Armenia. At 8 months, he was already
churning water as people watched incredulously. By 5, he was winning
competitions throughout Yerevan. Of course, having a father as a
champion swimmer in the Soviet Union didn't hurt matters.
Then came boxing and karate, much to dad's displeasure. Through
friends, Karapetyan turned to the world of the arts. He qualified
for an artistic school and slowly made his way to auditions. One step
led to another.
All it really took was one performance of Aram Khachaturian's
"Spartacus" and he was hooked for life.
"In Armenia, there were very few opportunities for male dancers," he
noted. "Whatever talent there is becomes dispersed. If they all stayed
in their country, it would be one of the best companies in the world.
The opportunities have led to a wonderful career with a great ensemble
in Boston," he said.
After graduating from the Yerevan National Ballet Company in 2003
under the direction of Hovannes Divanyan, he was invited to study
at the Heinz-Bosl Ballet Company of Munich where he trained with
Alexander Prokofiev.
Upon graduating in 2005, he worked in Vienna for a year before dancing
with the Royal Swedish Ballet in Stockholm.
Among his many awards were first place medals in the 2012
International Istanbul Ballet Competition and the 2009 Rome Primo
Ballet Competition. Other notable credits include "Romeo and Juliet"
and "Don Quixote."
Two years ago, he was offered a contract by The Boston Ballet after
an audition. There just happened to be an opening for a soloist and
he landed the role. Sharing the joy were his parents and two siblings
in Yerevan. They keep in touch constantly through social media.
Armenians like Sossy Jeknavorian and daughter Ani, a former dancer,
were taken aback after attending a performance of the Boston Ballet.
They noticed Karapetyan's name in the program and decided to introduce
themselves. The family has endeared itself to the dancer, even taking
him snowmobiling.
"I meet Armenians at the stage door and they tell me how proud they
are to see me perform," he says. "People are e-mailing me all the
time. They want to know the person behind the Armenian name dancing
with one of the world's leading companies," he noted.
He added that he has made contact with Apo Ashjian and attended a
rehearsal of the Sayat Nova Dance Company of Greater Boston.
"It's just amazing to see what Apo does for these dancers in promoting
our heritage," Karapetyan points out.
A typical day in Boston runs eight hours with classes and rehearsals.
Spare time is spent inside a gym to relax and keep fit.
With no car, Karapetyan meanders around the city aboard his bike,
weaving in and out of traffic.
At 5-9, 145 pounds, an extra pound or two could throw the body off
kilter for the 38-year-old. Punishing. Grueling. Yet, incredibly
rewarding. It's been a life that knows no boundaries, simply a leap
of faith.
"When I do 'Swan Lake', I feel like I'm in another world," he admits.
"Hard work and determination ultimately pays off. When I'm on that
stage, I feel like I'm representing not only myself but Armenia
as well."
He concluded, "I look forward to the day when I'll return to Armenia
and dance."
- See more at:
http://www.mirrorspectator.com/2014/06/05/karapetyan-leaps-into-stardom-with-boston-ballet/#sthash.FAq5zPFZ.dpuf
ARTS | JUNE 5, 2014 1:45 PM
________________________________
By Tom Vartabedian
BOSTON -- As a young lad of 8 pursuing ballet, the girls laugh
and giggled when they saw Avetik Karapetyan in leotards. Today,
he has the last laugh. This is his second year as a soloist with
the Boston Ballet, appearing in productions such as "Swan Lake" and
"Sleeping Beauty."
The virtuoso performer is wrapping up an appearance in a show called
"Etudes" through May 18 before enjoying a respite through the summer
months. He looks back on those formative years and smiles at the
irony. If anything, the growing pains were much like a "Billy Elliott"
scenario where young boys are thought to be more suited for boxing
and soccer than the pas de deux.
"They told me to undress into my underwear," he recalls. "I was a
little embarrassed by it. Over time, you grew accustomed to it."
Swimming was his destiny in Armenia. At 8 months, he was already
churning water as people watched incredulously. By 5, he was winning
competitions throughout Yerevan. Of course, having a father as a
champion swimmer in the Soviet Union didn't hurt matters.
Then came boxing and karate, much to dad's displeasure. Through
friends, Karapetyan turned to the world of the arts. He qualified
for an artistic school and slowly made his way to auditions. One step
led to another.
All it really took was one performance of Aram Khachaturian's
"Spartacus" and he was hooked for life.
"In Armenia, there were very few opportunities for male dancers," he
noted. "Whatever talent there is becomes dispersed. If they all stayed
in their country, it would be one of the best companies in the world.
The opportunities have led to a wonderful career with a great ensemble
in Boston," he said.
After graduating from the Yerevan National Ballet Company in 2003
under the direction of Hovannes Divanyan, he was invited to study
at the Heinz-Bosl Ballet Company of Munich where he trained with
Alexander Prokofiev.
Upon graduating in 2005, he worked in Vienna for a year before dancing
with the Royal Swedish Ballet in Stockholm.
Among his many awards were first place medals in the 2012
International Istanbul Ballet Competition and the 2009 Rome Primo
Ballet Competition. Other notable credits include "Romeo and Juliet"
and "Don Quixote."
Two years ago, he was offered a contract by The Boston Ballet after
an audition. There just happened to be an opening for a soloist and
he landed the role. Sharing the joy were his parents and two siblings
in Yerevan. They keep in touch constantly through social media.
Armenians like Sossy Jeknavorian and daughter Ani, a former dancer,
were taken aback after attending a performance of the Boston Ballet.
They noticed Karapetyan's name in the program and decided to introduce
themselves. The family has endeared itself to the dancer, even taking
him snowmobiling.
"I meet Armenians at the stage door and they tell me how proud they
are to see me perform," he says. "People are e-mailing me all the
time. They want to know the person behind the Armenian name dancing
with one of the world's leading companies," he noted.
He added that he has made contact with Apo Ashjian and attended a
rehearsal of the Sayat Nova Dance Company of Greater Boston.
"It's just amazing to see what Apo does for these dancers in promoting
our heritage," Karapetyan points out.
A typical day in Boston runs eight hours with classes and rehearsals.
Spare time is spent inside a gym to relax and keep fit.
With no car, Karapetyan meanders around the city aboard his bike,
weaving in and out of traffic.
At 5-9, 145 pounds, an extra pound or two could throw the body off
kilter for the 38-year-old. Punishing. Grueling. Yet, incredibly
rewarding. It's been a life that knows no boundaries, simply a leap
of faith.
"When I do 'Swan Lake', I feel like I'm in another world," he admits.
"Hard work and determination ultimately pays off. When I'm on that
stage, I feel like I'm representing not only myself but Armenia
as well."
He concluded, "I look forward to the day when I'll return to Armenia
and dance."
- See more at:
http://www.mirrorspectator.com/2014/06/05/karapetyan-leaps-into-stardom-with-boston-ballet/#sthash.FAq5zPFZ.dpuf