Remembering Nevarte Hamparian, Passionate Visionary of Armenian Dance

Known as the “matron saint of Armenian folk dance,” Nevarte Hamparian passed away on February 12, 2019. She was born in New York City on August 1, 1926. She was the daughter of Nazar Der Manuelian of Palou and Zarouhi Avakian of Sepastia, who were both born and raised in Western Armenia. From a young age, Nevarte learned many native Armenian dances from her father, and she grew up to become a leading exponent of the Armenian folk dance and a founder of the Nayiri Dance Group of New York.