PERFORMANCE MARKS 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF YERAZ DANCE ENSEMBLE
By Florence Avakian
Armenian Weekly
January 19, 2010
The 10th anniversary of the Yeraz Dance Ensemble took place before a
standing room only, cheering audience at the Queensborough Community
College in Bayside, N.Y. on Sunday afternoon, Dec. 6.
A scene from the performance Formed 10 years ago by artistic director
Karnig Nercessian, the 90-strong group of dancers ranging in age
from 5-23 put on a bravura performance of more than 25 numbers which
generated such enthusiasm that the capacity audience leapt to its
feet at its conclusion, hoping for more.
Dressed in beautiful, handmade, colorful Armenian costumes, the girls
demonstrated their delicate hand and fluid arm movements, and the boys
their virile and powerful acrobatics. Their progression as dancers
was demonstrated from the youngest to the older performers. They
delighted the crowd in the numbers "Shalakho," "Garden Dance," the
exceptional "Hayotz Yeghnig," and the inspirational "Candle Dance,"
which combined both the very young and the older dancers.
Many memorable numbers stood out, including the graceful movements
by the females in "Ouzoundara," "Harsnatsouneri Bar," and "Gagach,"
a dance of floating flowers. The interplay between a six-year-old
girl and an older dancer was scintillating in "Illusion," with both
dressed in identical bridal gowns.
The men were not to be outdone. They showed their prowess in
"Hovivner," "Sardarabad," and "Gindo’s," a flirtatious number with the
men’s attention focused on one female. Among the men, Shant Simonian
stood out for his exceptional versatility.
Among the most exceptional numbers was "Musa Ler," outstanding for
the fluid body movements and coordination by the 12 men and women,
and the modern "Ov Hayotz Ashkhar." The concluding number, the moving
victorious dance "Artashat" with the whole troupe performing, had
the men forming acrobatic towers, and the women complementing them
with their typical grace. It virtually brought the house down.
The printed program did not explain the meaning of each dance, but
it became fairly apparent during the performance of the numbers. In
addition, though the dance steps were somewhat repetitive, and not
very different, there was excellent coordination, and most importantly,
vibrant spirit, and great enthusiasm and pride shown by the performers.
Woven into the program were musical numbers by violinist Diana Asilyan,
pianist Tigran Dumanyan, and eight-year-old singing sensation Zovinar
Aghavian. Her mother, well-known soprano Anoush Barclay, had opened
the concert with the American and Armenian national anthems. An
inspirational poem was also recited by Sona Gevorgyan. Following a
lengthy standing ovation by the audience, special star emblems were
presented to the 10-year members of the troupe.
The tireless artistic director Karnig Nercessian has been a
professional solo dancer who has performed with the Hamazkayin
Akh’tamar and AGBU Antranig dance groups, as well as with the Tekeyan
Cultural Association of New Jersey and the New York Hamazkayin
Theatrical Group as a talented actor. In 1999, he created the Yeraz
Dance Ensemble with fellow Antranig dancer Lena Orangian, starting
with only seven, eight dancers who are still in the troupe.
Nercessian announced that in the future, assistant directors Shant
Simonian and Maria Nercessian would take on a more visible role in
teaching and leading the group.
"It was a revelation to see these dedicated dancers who practice
diligently every week," said Prelacy Vicar General Bishop Anoushavan
Tanielian, representing the Prelate Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan who
was out of the country. "How moving it is for those who dream and see
their dreams come to fruition, and even dream for more," he added,
congratulating the St. Sarkis Church parish priest, Rev. Fr. Nareg
Terterian, and the Parish Council.
Addressing the performers, the vicar general urged them to "preserve
your Armenian song and dance, so that Armenian blood can flood the
future, and so that our victims of the genocide and the earthquake
can look down with pride on your achievements. We are here, we will
remain, and we will increase," he declared emotionally.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
