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About Director Apo
Ashjian
Sayat
Nova Home | History
Apo Ashjian has been
active in Armenian dance for more than 30 years. Studying under choreographers
Sarkis Paskalian and Ohan Armoudian, he has performed extensively with
Armenian dance ensembles as well as with the internationally renowned Mandala
Folk Ensemble.
In 1982, Ashjian directed
his first production, "Tribute to Armenian Heritage," at Tufts University,
in Medford, MA. He has been a director of the Erebouni Dance Ensemble of
the Boston Chapter of Hamazkain (1980) and the Daron Dance Ensemble of
the Greater Boston Chapter of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (1981-1985).
He founded the Sayat Nova Dance Company in January 1986 and directed its
premiere performance the following fall to an enthusiastic sold-out audience.
In October 1987, Ashjian
traveled and studied with various dance ensembles in Armenia. At the invitation
of the Committee for Cultural Relations with Armenians Abroad, he returned
to Armenia twice, in January 1990 and September 1992, to continue his training. |
Photos by Viken Karaguesian
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 He
studied with choreographer and soloist for the State Dance Ensemble of
Armenia, Gagik Karapetian, and also with Artousha Karapetian, a choreographer
and expert of ethnographic dances. In 1994, Ashjian received a certification
as an Armenian dance Director and Choreographer from the Dance Department
of the Khatchadour Apovian School for the Performing Arts. He completed
the extensive five-year course of study, a few months at a time, during
his many visits to Armenia.
 Ashjian
once again journeyed to Armenia, but this time, the entire Sayat Nova Dance
Company went along; it was in August 1995, at the official invitation of
the Cultural Administration of Armenia, a rare and high honor for a diasporan
dance troupe.
Born in Syria and raised
in Lebanon, Ashjian immigrated to the United States in 1970. After graduating
from the Cambridge Public School System, he majored in Physical Education
at Northeastern University in Boston, MA.
Ashjian is also the founder
of the Abaka Armenian School for the Performing Arts, where he teaches
Armenian dance to those between the ages of 3-16.
Ashjian, his wife and three
children live in Belmont, MA.
Sayat
Nova Home | History
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