Apo Ashjian, Founder/Director
Apo Ashjian has been active in Armenian dance for more than 40 years and has performed extensively with Armenian dance ensembles as well as with the internationally renowned Mandala Folk Ensemble. Born in Syria and raised in Lebanon, Ashjian immigrated to the United States in 1970. After graduating from the Cambridge Public School System, he majored in Physical Education at Northeastern University in Boston, MA.
He has been a director of the Erebouni Dance Ensemble of the Boston Chapter of Hamazkain (1980) and the Daron Dance Ensemble of the Greater Boston Chapter of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (1981-1985). In 1982, Ashjian directed his first production, "Tribute to Armenian Heritage," in Medford, MA. He founded the Sayat Nova Dance Company in January 1986 and directed its premiere performance in November to an enthusiastic sold-out audience.
In October 1987, Ashjian traveled and studied with various dance ensembles in Armenia. At the invitation of the Committee for Cultural Relations with Armenians Abroad, he returned to Armenia in January 1990 and September 1992, to continue his training. He studied extensively with renowned choreographer and expert ethnographer Artousha Karapetian, mastering the art of dance. In 1994, he received his certification as an Armenian dance Director and Choreographer from the Dance Department of the Khatchadour Apovian School for the Performing Arts.
Ashjian and his wife Arlet founded ABAKA in 1995 to enrich the Armenian cultural life of youngsters in our community, creating a small corner of Armenia in America.
Ashjian, his wife and three children live in Waltham, MA.
Alina Ashjian Palanjian, Instructor
Alina Ashjian Palanjian has been immersed in Armenian dance from a very young age. She was a student at ABAKA School for the Performing Arts when it originally opened its doors in 1995. There she grew to love Armenian dance, performing, and teaching. After graduating from ABAKA at the age of 16, she joined the Sayat Nova Dance Company of Boston where she is now an instructor. Alina is excited to join her parents in continuing the family business and looks forward to teaching and keeping the Armenian culture alive in our youth! She is also a registered nurse at Boston Medical Centers women's health clinic.
Araz Ashjian, Instructor
Araz Ashjian is a graduate from ABAKA Dance Academy and an instructor at Sayat Nova Dance Company of Boston. He attended ABAKA at the age of 3 and graduated when he was 16 where he realized how much he enjoyed Armenian dance and performing. He looks forward to passing on what he learned at ABAKA to the next generation! Araz has a degree in business management and is currently a real estate developer and entrepreneur.
Sariné Ashjian, Instructor
Sariné Ashjian is a graduate of ABAKA and also a member of the Sayat Nova Dance Company. She has been performing since the age of 3 and loves to teach! Sarine is a graduate of University of Massachusetts Lowell with a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing. She currently works on the labor and delivery unit at Boston Medical Center. In addition to nursing, she also works at Open Wings Childcare in Watertown MA. Sariné is excited to teach the future generations at ABAKA about our culture through dance!
Talar Palanjian, Instructor
Talar Palanjian was a student at ABAKA School for the Performing Arts when it first opened in in 1995. Her mother, Shaghig Palanjian, was not only the Assistant Director of Sayat Nova Dance Company of Boston, but also a teacher at ABAKA for many years. Having attended Boston Ballet School in her younger years, Talars dance experience is extensive. She was also a teacher at Nicole's Studio of Dance and is currently an instructor at Sayat Nova Dance Company of Boston. Talar has a bachelor's degree in Management and works at 4G Clinical as a Client Manager.
Colette Shahverdian, Instructor
Colette Shahverdian has been a member of Sayat Nova Dance Company for the last decade, spreading the art of Armenian dance by participating in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, traveling the country with her dance family, and performing in the beautiful motherland of Armenia. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality Management while working full time as a bakery manager and has been in the hospitality industry for over 10 years. Colette is excited to teach our future generations the power and importance of traditional Armenian dance!