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April 11, 2012
Toronto's Youth Impress Community and Yerevan Artist at This Year's Musical Talent Show
Aspiring Armenian musicians across Toronto recently had their moment in the spotlight at the city's annual AGBU Talent Show. On Sunday, March 11, 2012, twenty-five local youths, ages six to 18, shared the stage at the Alex Manoogian Cultural Center.
Seated among the 100 parents, friends and teachers that filled the Centre's Babayan Ballroom was one special guest who had inspired many of the acts – pianist Jirayr Shahrimanyan from Yerevan. The children were excited to have Shahrimanyan in the audience, and the feeling was mutual. As Shahrimanyan commented after the show, "It is a great pleasure for me to meet the Armenian youth within AGBU Toronto. Working with them is one of the highlights of my stay here." In addition to Shahrimanyan's compositions, the show featured guitarists and the AGBU youth vocal group, which Hripsime Demirdjian directs.
While the show's performances varied, the positive energy remained constant. AGBU Toronto's Executive Director Salpi Der Ghazarian remarked, "It was a treat to feel the confidence and enthusiasm of the young performers, as well as the pride of the parents watching their children perform." They already look forward to next year's event. Until then, these talented youth will enjoy tokens from the evening, which included a certificate acknowledging their achievements.
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