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NJ Hamazkayin Boasts Another Successful Event
Fri, Jun 24 2011
Armenian Weekly
ORADELL, N.J. - On May 15, the Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and
Cultural Society held its annual cultural event dubbed `An Afternoon
of Cultural Gathering' dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the 2nd
Independence of the Republic of Armenia. The program showcased the
talents of Hamazkayin New Jersey's Nayiri Dance Ensemble and Arekag
Chorus. Joining the program were the musical talents of Haig
Buchakjian, Michael Gostanian, and Christopher Vosbigian, who
entertained the audience with their unique delivery of traditional
Armenian music.
Over 30 talented children of the Arekag Chorus sang several cultural
and nationalistic songs.
The program opened with welcoming remarks by Vartouhi Haroutounyan,
the chairwoman of Hamazkayin New Jersey. The outstanding program
provided traditional and contemporary pieces in dance, song, and
music. The Hamazkayin children exhibited their limitless talents in
not only song and dance, but also theater.
Over 30 talented children of the Arekag Chorus sang several cultural
and nationalistic songs including `Azk Parabantz,' `Yes Im Anoush
Hayastani,' `Hayer Miyatsek,' and `Giligia.' The Arekag Chorus
performs throughout the year upon invitations by Armenian
organizations. Their repertoire of songs includes traditional,
popular, and nationalistic, and songs written by contemporary artists
such as Karen Hakobyan.
The Nayiri Dance Ensemble, with nearly 50 dancers, performed a wide
array of traditional Armenian dances including `Kochari,' `Vartavar,'
and a beautiful rendition of the Toumanian's story of 'Gigos.' The
audience laughed and cried as the children celebrated the
centuries-old tradition of `Vartavar,' recounted the story of `Gigos,'
and finally brought the audience home to Armenia with `Menk enk mer
Sarere.' The Nayiri Dance Ensemble has performed at various venues and
for many occasions throughout the year. The children's talent,
combined with the expertise of the director, provided for Armenian
dance performances unsurpassed in their commitment to tradition and
beauty, while at the same time being contemporary and innovative.
The instrumental group performed several traditional Armenian melodies
completing a magnificent cultural event. The trio's talents added a
new dimension to the program in their re-interpretations of
traditional and contemporary Armenian music. The Arekag Chorus is led
by Vagharshag Ohanyan, a well-known baritone in the Armenian community
and a soloist with the New York City Opera. Ohanyan holds a doctorate
of arts ED and an MA in vocal performance from the Armenian State
Conservatory, and a certificate from the Julliard School. He is a
member of the American Guild of Musical Artists. Ohanyan was a
principal soloist at the Armenian National Opera Theater. He has
performed with the American Philharmonic Orchestra at Avery Fisher
Hall and with the Russian Chamber Chorus, and as a soloist with the
New York City Opera. He continues to perform internationally at many
prestigious festivals and opera houses in Europe, Russia, Armenia, and
the United States.
The Nayiri Dance Ensemble is led by Tovman Haroutounian. Born in
Tbilisi, Georgia, Haroutounian started dancing at the age of nine at
the `Children's Dance Studio' under the guidance of famous
Georgian-Armenian cultural figure, Albert Sarkisyan. Over the next 20
years, he established a professional career in dance. Harutyunyan
danced in the `Armenian State Dance Ensemble,' which was directed by
Armenian national artist and famous choreographer Vanush Khanamiryan.
In 1986, he starred as a bridegroom in the movie `Fire Dance,' a
famous film and favorite among the Armenian community. Being one of
the main dancers in the Armenian State Dance Ensemble, Harutyunyan has
traveled on numerous tours across the former Soviet Union, and Europe
and Mexico, performing on many world-famous stages. Since 1996 he has
been teaching the art of Armenian dance to the young generation of
Armenian Americans in New York, where he runs the Vanush Khanamirian
Dance Academy.
The event was made possible with generous support from Dr. and Mrs.
Haikaz and Siran Grigorian, Mr. Andreas Roubian, Dr. and Mrs. Vahan
and Maggie Kouyoumdjian, Mr. and Mrs. Hovhannes and Hasmig Aprahamian,
Verizon and Mr. and Mrs. Varoujan and Nora Diratsaoglu. The tireless
efforts of the volunteers and committees who have helped make the
Hamazkayin programs a success throughout the year, as well as the
volunteers who worked backstage managing our talented and spirited
children between costume changes, really came through as the program
was both well organized and brilliant.
Hamazkayin was formed in Cairo, Egypt over 80 years ago in the
aftermath of the Armenian Genocide to bring together and provide a
home for Armenian intellectuals, artists, musicians, poets, authors,
and others in an effort to preserve what remained of our culture and
heritage. For over 80 years, Hamazkayin has been a beacon for Armenian
intellectuals and artists, a place they could always call home. In
light of changes in our communities throughout the diaspora and
Armenia, Hamazkayin has refocused its efforts on Armenian youth in
order to impart our cultural treasures to the next generation.
Hamazkayin New Jersey has made great strides in attracting over 80
kids to its Armenian cultural programs sharing Armenian music, dance,
literature, and culture in order to preserve our nation for decades to
come.
Hamazkayin New Jersey is a 501(c)3 not for profit and may be reached
at (201) 945-8992.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Fri, Jun 24 2011
Armenian Weekly
ORADELL, N.J. - On May 15, the Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and
Cultural Society held its annual cultural event dubbed `An Afternoon
of Cultural Gathering' dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the 2nd
Independence of the Republic of Armenia. The program showcased the
talents of Hamazkayin New Jersey's Nayiri Dance Ensemble and Arekag
Chorus. Joining the program were the musical talents of Haig
Buchakjian, Michael Gostanian, and Christopher Vosbigian, who
entertained the audience with their unique delivery of traditional
Armenian music.
Over 30 talented children of the Arekag Chorus sang several cultural
and nationalistic songs.
The program opened with welcoming remarks by Vartouhi Haroutounyan,
the chairwoman of Hamazkayin New Jersey. The outstanding program
provided traditional and contemporary pieces in dance, song, and
music. The Hamazkayin children exhibited their limitless talents in
not only song and dance, but also theater.
Over 30 talented children of the Arekag Chorus sang several cultural
and nationalistic songs including `Azk Parabantz,' `Yes Im Anoush
Hayastani,' `Hayer Miyatsek,' and `Giligia.' The Arekag Chorus
performs throughout the year upon invitations by Armenian
organizations. Their repertoire of songs includes traditional,
popular, and nationalistic, and songs written by contemporary artists
such as Karen Hakobyan.
The Nayiri Dance Ensemble, with nearly 50 dancers, performed a wide
array of traditional Armenian dances including `Kochari,' `Vartavar,'
and a beautiful rendition of the Toumanian's story of 'Gigos.' The
audience laughed and cried as the children celebrated the
centuries-old tradition of `Vartavar,' recounted the story of `Gigos,'
and finally brought the audience home to Armenia with `Menk enk mer
Sarere.' The Nayiri Dance Ensemble has performed at various venues and
for many occasions throughout the year. The children's talent,
combined with the expertise of the director, provided for Armenian
dance performances unsurpassed in their commitment to tradition and
beauty, while at the same time being contemporary and innovative.
The instrumental group performed several traditional Armenian melodies
completing a magnificent cultural event. The trio's talents added a
new dimension to the program in their re-interpretations of
traditional and contemporary Armenian music. The Arekag Chorus is led
by Vagharshag Ohanyan, a well-known baritone in the Armenian community
and a soloist with the New York City Opera. Ohanyan holds a doctorate
of arts ED and an MA in vocal performance from the Armenian State
Conservatory, and a certificate from the Julliard School. He is a
member of the American Guild of Musical Artists. Ohanyan was a
principal soloist at the Armenian National Opera Theater. He has
performed with the American Philharmonic Orchestra at Avery Fisher
Hall and with the Russian Chamber Chorus, and as a soloist with the
New York City Opera. He continues to perform internationally at many
prestigious festivals and opera houses in Europe, Russia, Armenia, and
the United States.
The Nayiri Dance Ensemble is led by Tovman Haroutounian. Born in
Tbilisi, Georgia, Haroutounian started dancing at the age of nine at
the `Children's Dance Studio' under the guidance of famous
Georgian-Armenian cultural figure, Albert Sarkisyan. Over the next 20
years, he established a professional career in dance. Harutyunyan
danced in the `Armenian State Dance Ensemble,' which was directed by
Armenian national artist and famous choreographer Vanush Khanamiryan.
In 1986, he starred as a bridegroom in the movie `Fire Dance,' a
famous film and favorite among the Armenian community. Being one of
the main dancers in the Armenian State Dance Ensemble, Harutyunyan has
traveled on numerous tours across the former Soviet Union, and Europe
and Mexico, performing on many world-famous stages. Since 1996 he has
been teaching the art of Armenian dance to the young generation of
Armenian Americans in New York, where he runs the Vanush Khanamirian
Dance Academy.
The event was made possible with generous support from Dr. and Mrs.
Haikaz and Siran Grigorian, Mr. Andreas Roubian, Dr. and Mrs. Vahan
and Maggie Kouyoumdjian, Mr. and Mrs. Hovhannes and Hasmig Aprahamian,
Verizon and Mr. and Mrs. Varoujan and Nora Diratsaoglu. The tireless
efforts of the volunteers and committees who have helped make the
Hamazkayin programs a success throughout the year, as well as the
volunteers who worked backstage managing our talented and spirited
children between costume changes, really came through as the program
was both well organized and brilliant.
Hamazkayin was formed in Cairo, Egypt over 80 years ago in the
aftermath of the Armenian Genocide to bring together and provide a
home for Armenian intellectuals, artists, musicians, poets, authors,
and others in an effort to preserve what remained of our culture and
heritage. For over 80 years, Hamazkayin has been a beacon for Armenian
intellectuals and artists, a place they could always call home. In
light of changes in our communities throughout the diaspora and
Armenia, Hamazkayin has refocused its efforts on Armenian youth in
order to impart our cultural treasures to the next generation.
Hamazkayin New Jersey has made great strides in attracting over 80
kids to its Armenian cultural programs sharing Armenian music, dance,
literature, and culture in order to preserve our nation for decades to
come.
Hamazkayin New Jersey is a 501(c)3 not for profit and may be reached
at (201) 945-8992.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress