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Gagik
Karapetian - Choreographer
In
the thirty-year life of an organization there
are only a few events that can truly be called
'momentous.' Bringing in Gagik Karapetian as the
Choreographer of the Antranig Dance Ensemble is
clearly one such occasion. Now assisting the group
for over ten years, Mr. Karapetian has changed
the face of the ensemble whilemaintaining its
long-time reputation as one of the world'sstandard-bearers
of Armenian dance.
Born
into a family of professional dancers, Mr. Karapetian
has built a personal resume that reads like a
model career of cultural performance. He was a
member of the esteemed State Dance Ensemble of
Armenia for 21 years, most of that time as a Principle
Dancer/soloist. His worldwide performance itinerary
in that time included hundreds of performances
in over a dozen countries on four continents. |
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He
has studied dance forms both inside and outside Armenia
and has worked with a large number of dancers and dance
groups through the years, training all levels of young
and mature men and women. In addition, he works with
a number of theatrical groups in Armenia to add dance
and movement to their stage productions.
With a background of performance, learning and teaching
it was a logical honor when he was selected as the Choreographer
of the State Dance Ensemble of Armenia several years
ago. Working with the only professional Armenian dance
troupe in the world, he was able to give life to his
unique understanding of the art.
At
the same time, with the Antranig Dance Ensemble Mr.
Karapetian has been developing Armenian dance well beyond
the ethnographic and traditional productions so well-known
in America. His desire to bring contemporary themes
and broader dance stylings into the mainstream, while
still being true to the beauty and traditions of Armenian
dance, have led to some truly unique productions by
the Antranig Dance Ensemble in recent years.
In
addition to the dance creation and training he brings
to Antranig, he is recognized by the dancers at the
higher level of mentor. By working with the group for
three months each year, he is able to bring out the
best of their abilities for audiences to see what can
be done with the Armenian dance artform. Each production
brings something new, so be sure to see each one!
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