Performance Marks 10th Anniversary of Yeraz Dance Ensemble

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.

8SC_4148_01 — 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.