Nazarena Arabean from Tamzara dance group

1) Tell me a bit about yourself

My name is Nazarena Anush Arabean, I am the Director of the Tamzara dance group. I was born in Buenos Aires but have been living in Australia with my husband Carlos Khatchikian since 2014.

After high school I pursued a bachelor degree in Political science from Buenos Aires university and owned my own Pilates studio in Buenos Aires.

Prior to coming to Australia, I got the opportunity to participate in Birth right Armenia program which was an opportunity of a lifetime. I have had the opportunity to pursue my career as a Pilates instructor and Ballet Teacher in Australia whilst teaching dance in Tamzara.

2) How long have you been dancing and how long have you been a teacher for?

I have been dancing from the age of 6 with the Kaiane Armenian Dance Group and was a dancer with the group for 16 wonderful years. The passion and love for dance was planted through my interaction with this group. I was also fortunate to attend the National Dance School and the San Martin Theatre of Contemporary Dance where I was able to carry out my high school education whilst also pursuing ballet. Whilst in high school I continued to perform with the Kaiane dance group, even having the opportunity to dance in Armenia in 2000.

At the age of 15 I was given the opportunity to take on the role of assistant dance teacher within the Kaiane dance group. From the age of 18 onwards I have been teaching dance within different groups.

3) What attracted you to Armenian dancing?

I believe it is in my blood. My Armenian dance teachers introduced me to the movement of dance and from a young age I have been passionate about dancing and promoting Armenian dance.

4) What does Armenian dance symbolize to you?

It is the connection to my roots. It is my way that I keep the Armenian legacy heritage.

Armenian history is depicted through dance, our traditions and everything that makes us Armenians.

We have dances that represent our battles like Sardarabad, we have dances that represent the act of assembling the carpets (ilignerov), but we also have dances representing the saddest moments of our history like the Genocide.

Through dance Armenians found a way to express the excitement of the battle, how proud we are of what we do and more importantly the catharsis of the pain and the sorrow.

5) Why is it so important to preserve our Armenian dance groups?

I feel that it is a way to express our feelings and emotions, and also pride of our Armenian heritage. Armenian dance is a group dance, all together shoulder to shoulder to show to the world that we are united. Armenian dance has a bit of everything, which makes it a great activity for kids and adults.

6) What do you look to happen to the Tamzara group in the coming years?

My goal has always been to create a positive environment to teach our wonderful culture. Apart from teaching our culture through dance I have wanted Armenians to interact with each other form bonds and make lifelong friends and relationships.

7) What is an important quality you look for in your dance students?

Perseverance, positive attitude and a willingness to get out of ones comfort zone.

As Tamzara has had a number of beginners who were adults, it could be hard to get the rhythm, so perseverance is very important.

8) What do you hope for your students to take away from dance?

I want my students to take the history of the dance, the names, the dance move and symbols that the dance moves illustrate.

The ability for my students to adapt in all circumstances.

9) What is your favourite music to accompany a dance performance?

So even though I have trained as a contemporary dancer I have a passion for the old songs. I look to use traditional music to accompany the dance group. I love using the traditional songs as they symbolize the history of our Armenian story. I love those anonymous Armenian songs that may have lost the names but are synonymous with the Armenian identity.

10) What do you like to do away from dance?

I like to keep busy. I am not good at sitting still. Cooking and gardening are great examples, anything that I can do with my hands. I also love everything related with nature.

Interviewer: Toros Kassabian