Armenian dance seminar

Internationally recognized dance instructor Tom Bozigian will teach a course, Armenian Studies 120T-Armenian Dance, on Jan. 30-31, sponsored by the Armenian Studies Program at Fresno State.

The Friday session will be from 5-10 p.m. and the Saturday class from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Both will be in the South Gym, room 134.

Bozigian received his bachelor's degree in Russian Area Studies from Fresno State. At the invitation of the Soviet Armenian government in the early 1970s, he traveled to Yerevan, Armenia, where he continued his classical and character dance training graduating from the State Choreographic School Sayat Nova in a three-year program. After returning to the United States Bozigian devoted his career to the preservation, performance and instruction of original Armenian song and dance.

Bozigian travels to Armenia yearly to continue his research working with various institutions and dance specialists, and at the same time, he visits target areas throughout Armenia for the purpose of drawing comparisons of original dances from both Armenia and the Diaspora. He is particularly sought out for his extensive knowledge of Armenian dances from the pre-1915 period.

In addition to the dances of the pre-915 period and the Caucasian Armenian dances, Bozigian specializes in new Armenian folk dances as well as choreography for stage presentation. He regularly tours the Orient and Europe teaching Armenian dance to international folk dance collectives and to groups within Armenian communities.

Bozigian lives in Los Angeles and continues his classical dance training, studies musical arrangement and harmony. He also directs "Hye Bar Entertainment," a DJ service. Bozigian is fluent in English, Russian and Armenian.

For registration information, contact the Armenian Studies Program at 8-2669.