April 12, 2012

AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: press@agbu.org
Website: www.agbu.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, 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.

Established in 1906, AGBU (www.agbu.org) is the world’s largest non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City, AGBU preserves and promotes the Armenian identity and heritage through educational, cultural and humanitarian programs, annually serving some 400,000 Armenians in 35 countries.