Dance is not a form it is a way of life. To dance means to fulfill an inner passion that craves the cultural significance of one's soul to be revealed. We dance for laughter, we dance for hopes, we dance at special occasions, we dance for joy, and we even dance when no one else is looking. We become dancers therefore we dream.
I speak of dancing in an eloquent fashion because I speak of it through my heart. I began dancing when I was 6 years of age as a soloist at a performance in Baghdad, Iraq which ignited my love for dance. After moving to the States I joined the very well known Ani Dance group to continue my dancing. The elegant Armenian dances I inherited through my experience as a soloist and a member of the committee of the Ani Dance group is now embedded in my soul. As the years passed, I realized the talent that flourished through me and continued to dance and create newer forms of Armenian dancing with the old. This is how I was chosen through the ARS, Armenian Relief Society, with Talin chapter in Montrose, California to teach dance classes. This became my first experience in instructing Armenian circle dancing in 2002. Since then we have added locations in Studio City, Pasadena and Glendale and we plan to continue this growth.
As a dance instructor I not only teach you the foot workings of Armenian dancing, I offer excitement and ways for a person to educate themselves as they learn through me. As an instructor I help wake your senses of your inner self to help you yearn for the cultural experience that is brought on through Armenian Dancing. The classes I offer are not only positioned to teach Armenian dances, I also teach Greek Dancing, Arabic, Western Line dancing and all other forms of different cultural dances, because I believe that all forms of dances are important. They need to be recognized and experienced for those who are willing to learn.
Yet, the focus of my teachings remain Armenian because as Doris Humphrey said "The Dancer believes that his art has something to say which cannot be expressed in words or in any other way than by dancing... there are times when the simple dignity of movement can fulfill the function of a volume of words. There are movements which impinge upon the nerves with a strength that is incomparable, for movement has power to stir the senses and emotions, unique in itself. This is the dancer's justification for being, and his reason for searching further for deeper aspects of his art." And that is why to learn Armenian dancing or any other cultural dance is to provoke your senses of excitement that encompasses your whole being and gives you a new perspective to life.
I hope that you understand that dance may be an art for some but it is also what many people like, want and love to do. It shows the laughter, the fun and the joy of life with dance. Please feel free to visit the image gallery that we have set up that captures the beautiful experience and family oriented environment that I teach from different locations. And I hope that one day you may experience the dance of your own culture and dance for life.
As a Final Note I would like to thank all those who have inspired me to continue my dance over the years. Big thanks to Lilian Ohanian who spend her time and effort in creating this website to further promote our establishment. A special thanks to my wife, Alise, for her patience and understanding and my kids, Aren and Nanor, who have blessed my life greatly with their presence.
Saro Asadourian |
