‘Hoy Lari’ Concert on May 18 to Benefit Children’s Milk Fund
WOBURN, Mass.—As first cousins and young Armenian parents, Janet Yetenekian and Paola Kassabian share a passion: their love towards children and entertainment through the art of music and dance.
Together, they call themselves Hoy Lari, and they’ve taken their show on the road over the past six years to the tune of numerous concerts coast-to-coast and four CDs that hype their market, much the same way Raffi did for a previous generation.
“We hope our music encourages children to sing, dance, and express themselves while bringing them closer to their heritage and beautiful Armenian language,” they say. “As Armenian parents, we want to merge our language into this very basic art form.”
Children have a natural love for music, they agree, and with its innate ability to stimulate independent expression and imagination, music creates strong bonds that are shared together.
The cousins will perform on Sat., May 18, at 2:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church, on 3 Winn St. in Woburn. Proceeds will benefit the Armenian Children’s Milk Fund.
A Hoy Lari concert is filled with buoyant Armenian song and dance inside a fun-filled, colorful hall with an interactive and educational persona. Parents can be seen sharing the same lyrics with their children.
Both women were born in Beirut before immigrating to Los Angeles with their families. Armed with a business degree, Yetenekian proceeded to open two ventures. Kassabian continued her education at Ferrahian High School before pursuing a career as a pharmacist.
The idea for such a venue actually gained impetus 15 years ago. Only when Kassabian’s eldest son turned one did Hoy Lari become a reality.
“My son started enjoying both Armenian and American songs and we decided it was time to combine our talents,” she noted. “Our intent is to put everyone into a happy mood through music.”
The entertainers are reaching out to benefit the Armenian Children’s Milk Fund, which has supplied formula to thousands of Armenian infants over the past 24 years.
Tickets and other information are available by e-mailing drokanayan@gmail.com.
