Doing Well and Doing Good with Zumba Artsakh Fundraiser

June 30, 2016

By Olya Yordanyan

Special to the Mirror-Spectator

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Cambridge held a Zumba dance party-fundraiser for Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabagh) on June 21.

Certified Zumba instructor Armine Hovhannissian and Women’s Guild of Holy Trinity teamed up to organize the event. 34 teenage girls and women attended it. Hovhannissian, who also teaches Zumba in Abaka Center for Performing Arts in Watertown, led the party, spreading positive vibes of dance and music.

Hovhannissian said she was thrilled that money was raised for Artsakh. She said she also believes that dancing can unite the Armenian women “to do something good for the community.”

“I love bringing people together. It is all about spreading positive energy, and I am so happy,” Hovhannissian said. “Zumba brings people together. So, I am very passionate about this hobby.” Hovhannissian has a full-time professional career.

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The participants danced for about an hour, as dynamic Latin rhythms followed each other, occasionally interrupted by popular American, Armenian and Russian dance songs. The participants particularly welcomed the Armenian dance melodies.

For some of the participants this was their first Zumba experience.

“I came to support the group. It is my first time,” Linda Abkarian said. “I really enjoyed it.”

Cynthia Kazanjian, another participant, said that she had always wanted to take Zumba classes, but never had a chance to do that.

“I enjoyed it immensely. It is always nice to get moving,” Kazanjian said. “I think it is very good healthfully for all of us to be moving.”

Yn. Arpi Kouzouian, Youth Director at Holy Trinity, said that $255 raised that evening would be sent to the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church in America’s fund for Artsakh.