Children, parents and grandparents gathered together on Saturday, November 22^nd, 2003 at the Cultural Hall of St. John’s Armenian Church of Greater Detroit for a special children’s concert performed by Nvair & Friends. more...

Interactive Children’s Concert Is Highlight of Armenian Cultural Month Celebration at St. Leon’s

St. Leon Armenian Church of Fair Lawn, NJ, under the spiritual guidance of Fr. Diran Bohajian, was proud to kick off Armenian Cultural Month with an Interactive Children's concert that featured two of the most exciting Armenian children’s entertainers in the industry. Nvair Kadian Beylerian of HYEfamily.com and Taline (from Los Angeles, CA) took the stage and played to a standing-room- only crowd of nearly 400 people.  more...

HYEfamily.com, Inc. announces its first CD release: Donadzar by Nvair & friends. The long awaited holiday CD (it means "Holiday tree" or "Christmas tree") features New Year’s and Christmas songs in Armenian for children and their families to enjoy throughout the Holiday Season.  more...

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Fair Lawn New Jersey - October 12, 2003

Interactive Children’s Concert Is Highlight of Armenian Cultural Month Celebration at St. Leon’s

St. Leon Armenian Church of Fair Lawn, NJ, under the spiritual guidance of Fr. Diran Bohajian, was proud to kick off Armenian Cultural Month with an Interactive Children's concert that featured two of the most exciting Armenian children’s entertainers in the industry. Nvair Kadian Beylerian of HYEfamily.com and Taline (from Los Angeles, CA) took the stage and played to a standing-room- only crowd of nearly 400 people. 

          Nvair and Taline performed a program of children's sing-along songs in Armenian, while offering English translations in between. The show opened with both Nvair and Taline singing a duet of the popular wake-up song "Paree Looys" (Good Morning). The children, as well as the adults, enjoyed clapping, dancing and singing along to such favorites as "Dzapeeg Dzapeeg" (Clap Clap) and "Yertank Kaghaloo" (Let's Go Play). During  "Shokegark Yegav" (The Train Has Come), Nvair and Taline came down from the stage and started their own Choo Choo train line of over 150 children, whom they led around Abajian Hall, singing and dancing.   Eshleeg Meshleeg (The Armenian Donkey) joined the performers back on stage and participated with his own song-and-dance routine that the children loved.  Participants, young and old, rocked and bopped to Taline's contemporary style of music, which included  "Gats" (Freeze Dance), "Ay Eem Kntag" (My Ball), and "Oorakh Or" (Happy Day). 

          At the close of the concert, Nvair and Taline once again descended the stage and paraded all of the children around the auditorium while singing "Mer Hye Tbrots" (Our Armenian School). While the children marched and sang, several tables of parents and grandparents stood and joined the singing of this classic song in remembrance of when they first learned it as children.

          Taline said, "I was very touched by the warm welcome I received from the New Jersey community. They made me feel like an ‘old friend.’  Imagine being on stage and witnessing three generations in the audience dancing and singing along with us! It was amazing!" Nvair shared her feelings about the work she's doing, "Today's children will lead us into the future. I feel privileged to have the opportunity to share these songs from my childhood and our rich Armenian history. Several of these songs have been sung by Armenian children for generations and hopefully for many more generations to come."   

          The old Sunday-afternoon "Hantes" is what brought our Armenian families together in the past. It was a time when we could have fun together and rejoice in being Armenian. Parishioners would come away feeling good, restored, enriched, and privileged to have such a rich warm culture. This concert, sponsored by St. Leon Armenian Church, was very much that way, except that rather than children tagging along behind their parents, the children were the driving force, leading their parents and grandparents in song and dance.

          The Parish Council of St Leon would like to thank committee members Lynn Beylerian, Barbara Boghosian, Andrea Carden, Sossy Derian, Jacklin Ekmekjian, Jenia Kazanjian, Susan Kazanjian, Mary Ann Mozian, Rose Najarian-Kedeshian, Grace Pinajian, Lisa Sepetjian, John Vanishkian, and Dr. Greg Kazanjian for chairing this event. The Council also wishes to extend a special word of thanks to the Sarkis Gabrellian Endowment Fund for providing St. Leon with the ability to give back to the community.

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HYEfamily.com, Inc. announces its first CD release: Donadzar by Nvair & friends. The long awaited holiday CD (it means "Holiday tree" or "Christmas tree") features New Year’s and Christmas songs in Armenian for children and their families to enjoy throughout the Holiday Season. 

This musical project was envisioned by Nvair Kadian Beylerian as an informal family-style sing-along album. The Holiday Season is a time for family get-togethers with a special focus on the children. As many of our Armenian family traditions dictate, the days of Holiday celebration always include an opportunity to share talents and experiences. Gathered together, a family member might begin by telling a story or recall a happening, another might play an instrument, and yet another would lead the family in song. Donadzar embraces that idea by including Nvair’s friends and family. Featured vocalists such as Linda Araz Berenson join Nvair for Loor Keesher, and Raffi Kadian sings an old man’s story recalling his own boyhood experiences in the snow, sledding down the mountains, Tsyounuh Yegav Shad Arad. The guest artists add a great deal of flavor and spice to the family-style approach.

The CD opens with its title song, Donadzar, featuring a spirited group of children who sing right along with Nvair: her two daughters, Lucine (5) and Tamar (7), as well as Arev Dinkjian (10) and Nairi Kasparian (14). Many of the songs celebrate the arrival of the beloved Gaghant Baba or New Year’s Father (recognized as Santa Claus) who brings all good children special gifts to welcome the New Year. Christmas for the Armenians maintains the purity of a religious celebration of the birth of Christ, which places the kef and merriment within the New Year Season.

Following months of research, Nvair compiled a select collection of songs that offer something to every member of the Armenian family, young or old. Some were found in old Armenian song books and others were shared by various friends. Nvair feels that "Many of these songs are musical treasures to be kept and nurtured in the family environment. Some are new, some are translations and others have been sung at Armenian holiday gatherings for generations."

An Armenian holiday CD would not be complete without the profound holiday hymn, Khorhoort Medz (the Great Marvelous Mystery) which is sung in a processional to announce the birth and recognition of Christ. The CD concludes with a Christmas Lullaby, Dzuhnoontee Oror, sung by Nvair with a special guest appearance by the world renowned oudist, Ara Dinkjian.

Nvair considers herself fortunate to have worked with a wonderful producer, Joe Halajian, as well as a very talented group of artists and musicians to join this great endeavor. Along with well-known, seasoned musicians sharing their gift of music, this CD also introduces one of Dinkjian’s students, 12 year old Raffi Massoyan, a fresh young talent who plays the oud and dumbeg on three of the CD’s 13 songs.

To meet the needs of listeners who are not fluent in Armenian, HYEfamily.com provides transliterated lyrics within the CD’s insert.  To view the English translations of the songs, click here. 

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Detroit, Michigan - November 22, 2003

CHILDREN’S CONCERT IN DETROIT GETS RAVE REVIEWS!

by Lisa Bahm

Children, parents and grandparents gathered together on Saturday, November 22^nd, 2003 at the Cultural Hall of St. John’s Armenian Church of Greater Detroit for a special children’s concert performed by Nvair & Friends.

Over two hundred people enjoyed an afternoon of lively Armenian songs, music and dancing as Nvair Kadian Beylerian from New Jersey performed selections from her two recorded CD’s:  “2Mayrer: Children’s Songs in Armenian” and her new Armenian Winter Holiday album entitled “Donadzar: New Year’s and Christmas Songs”. 

Nvair opened the concert with her popular “Paree Looys” (Good Morning) song followed by a series of other chldren’s songs.  Nvair’s high energy and enthusiasm filled the Cultural Hall.  The children participated in sing-a-longs, dances and marches. Nvair’s sidekick, Eshleeg Meshleeg (the Armenian Donkey), led the children’s marches around the dance floor to “Shokegark Yegav” (The Train Has Arrived), and “Mer Hye Tbrots”  (Our Armenian School).  

The second half of the concert featured many of Nvair’s Christmas songs including her beautiful rendition of “Loor Keesher” (Silent Night).  The children were excited when Santa Claus made a special appearance as Nvair sang “Zung, Zung, Zung”(Jingle Bells).  At the conclusion of the concert, Nvair invited the children with their parents and grandparents to the dance floor. She explained the Armenian tradition of dancing in a circle and then taught an Armenian folk dance from Erzeroum called the “Kher Pan” (Good Thing) dance.

The parents and grandparents enjoyed watching the enthusiasm of the children throughout her Concert; many of the songs were  familiar reminders of their own childhood.  Nvair provided explanations in English between songs to give a better understanding behind their origin and meaning. “It was so wonderful to receive a warm welcome from a loving community such as St. John’s.  I always enjoy singing and dancing with Armenian children”, said Nvair.

 Nvair’s love for Armenian music goes back several generations. Her grandfather, Anoush Krikorian, was an orphaned survivor of the Armenian Genocide who emigrated to the U.S. in the early 1920’s.  He entertained fellow survivors as an actor and troubadour, making them laugh and cry together through his songs, jokes and stories.  Her mother, a retired public school reading specialist  from New Jersey, has taught song, dance and language to Armenian children for over 50 years.  Nvair says that the greatest gift she hopes to give to her mother is to follow in her footsteps and share her love for the music, utilizing today’s technology and air transportation to reach wider audiences.  Nvair and her husband Zareh have two daughters, Tamar and Lucine.

Father Garabed Kochakian summed it up best by telling the audience that our parish was blessed on this day with the greatest “Nvair” (which means “gift” in Armenian) by welcoming Nvair & Friends for this very special children’s concert.    

A special thank you to the committee including Father Garabed Kochakian, Isabel Kurkechian, Anita Arslanian, Alberta Godoshian, Greg Nigoghosian, Lisa Mardigian, Anahit Toumajian, Arsho Kurkechian, Greg Kurkechian, who helped make the concert possible. 

Nvair’s two CD’s are currently available for purchase in the St. John’s bookstore.

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Glendale, California - December 15, 2003

Nvair joins Taline for her Christmas concert at the Alex Theatre.  What a spectacular success.  It was a special day for Armenian children in the Los Angeles area and a memorable day for many Armenian parents and teachers. Bus after bus lined up in front of the Alex Theatre in Glendale as Armenian schoolchildren in colorful uniforms, their parents and teachers arrived to attend a unique Armenian Christmas concert featuring Taline and special guest Nvair Kadian Beylerian from New Jersey.  

The concert was packed with surprises. As children patiently waited for “Gaghant Baba” to arrive, they sang along to Armenian Christmas songs and met a number of characters including the dancing Piso (cat), Nabasdag (bunny), Dzaghradzoo (clown) and Eshleeg-Meshleeg, Nvair’s helper donkey. Taline performed some of her most popular hits and many children got up to dance in the isles when Taline and Nvair performed a series of upbeat dance songs including “Dzenkele Menkele”, “Gats”,  “Dzappeeg Dzappeeg” and “Yegek Yertank Khaghaloo”. Aline Bezdikian, the day’s master of ceremony frequently appeared on stage with news from Gaghant Baba who arrived towards the end with gifts for everyone.

“This was an outstanding Armenian show for children”, commented Takouhey Saatjian, pre-school director of the Alek Pillibos pre-school. “I had goose-bumps watching 900 Armenian school-children from different schools singing together in Armenian”. Arsine Aghazarian, director of Tufenkian School also had nothing but praise for the event. “This was a very entertaining show for both children and parents. It was very well produced and presented”, she commented. “Teachers and children relate to Taline and her music extremely well because her videos and CDs are very entertaining and educational at the same time.”

Taline and Nvair presented two concerts in front of a total audience of 1,400 at the Alex Theatre. “We were very pleased with the level of support we received for this event”, said Taline; “Nine Armenian schools came together like one big family and made this a very special event for everyone involved– I think the children had a wonderful time!” Nvair, who is based in New Jersey, traveled to California especially for this concert. ”Taline and I share an important goal which is to grow our children’s interest in the Armenian language and culture”, she said. “We started performing together earlier this year with joint concerts in Boston and New Jersey and our collaboration is producing great results”.

Taline had a busy year in 2003. She produced her first video/DVD titled “Yerkenk ou Barenk/Let’s Sing and Dance” in October. The video has been well received by Armenian children and parents throughout the USA and Canada. Her plans for 2004 include concerts in Canada, a new DVD/Video and a new CD album featuring Armenian lullabies for children. Nvair, who’s best known for her first CD, “2Mayrer: Children’s Songs in Armenian”, released her first solo production in 2003; a Winter Holiday CD album titled “Donadzar”. Back to top

Bayside, New York – December 27, 2003

Nvair & Eshleeg Meshleeg sing and dance with Holy Martyrs Armenian Day School students, friends and family

The joy of Christmas was extended this year with a performance by Nvair & Friends sponsored by the Holy Martyrs Armenian Day School PTO.  

There was plenty of excitement in the room as the audience gathered with anticipation.  Following light refreshments provided by volunteer parents, the lights dimmed and Nvair opened the show with her well-known morning song, Paree Looys.  She was joined by Baron Eshleeg Meshleeg, the Armenian donkey, who led the children in the Armenian School Parade and later in the Armenian Express as Nvair sang Shokegark Yegav.  The children joined the performance throughout the show.  One of the favorites was holding up big colorful numbers during the song, Yot Orer (Seven Days).

Nvair also entertained everyone with a series of Christmas songs including the lively Donadzar, Zung, Zung, Zung, and the peaceful Loor Keesher.  She then reminded us all not to be naughty by singing Charootiun Chuhnenk!, warning the audience that Gaghant Baba knows everything.  You could feel the children’s excitement because everyone knew that he was expected at any moment!

Then, to everyone’s delight Gaghant Baban arrived!!!  After he gave candy canes to all the children from his shiny red and green bag, Gaghant Baba remained to enjoy the rest of the festivities, which, thanks to the generosity of the HMADS PTO included a complimentary Polaroid picture of each child with Gaghant Baba.  It was truly a spirited and fun-filled afternoon for the whole family.  Be sure not to miss a good time next year!

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Paramus, New Jersey – October 1, 2004

HYEfamily.com, Inc. releases a new CD,  Ari Mer Doon with Nvair – Armenian songs for children Ari Mer Doon   - it means “come to our home” in Armenian - is a fun compilation of some of the artist’s favorite children’s songs.  Many of these songs were passed down through the generations of Nvair’s family and some reflect back to her days in Armenian school.  These rich traditions are brought into a contemporary setting, making Ari Mer Doon with Nvair a melodious mix of songs for today’s children to enjoy.

The exceptional hospitality of Armenians, who traditionally open hearth and home to old and new friends alike, is well-known.   With this CD, Nvair opens the doors of her HYEfamily (hye means Armenian in Armenian) and welcomes the listener to partake with song, dance and merriment.

Ari Mer Doon with Nvair is a selection of songs that goes on a journey never before taken.  It can be valued as a fun and exciting educational tool for children, but also has a strong entertaining value for parents and friends.  Songs adapted for children include the title track Ari Mer Doon (come to our home), the hantes khunjouyk dance, Khundzori Dzari Dagin (underneath the apple tree), and Ov Ooni (who has it) which describes the lovely landscape of Armenia and questions the listener, “Who has it?”  The response, “We have it!”  With such traditional village treasures as Egeh Doogeh (eenie meenie minee mo), a rhythmic rhyme which village children from historic Armenia used to determine who goes first, Ari Mer Doon with Nvair offers more than just any children’s CD.  It can be placed within a historic context, as it reflects on the treasures brought to the US by the generation of survivors of the Armenian Genocide of 1915, and imparted to their children, grandchildren and in this case, great-grandchildren.

The CD includes Doon Im Arevn Es, a translation of one of Nvair’s favorite songs, You are My Sunshine.  There is also an original composition, Eshligin Yerguh (song of the little donkey), written in collaboration with her mother, Sosy.  To make this labor of love a true HYEfamily endeavor, Nvair’s daughters, Tamar (8) and Lucine (5), sing along with her.  They are featured singing throughout the CD, sprinkled with short recitations and brief, little conversations.

Having grown up in the New York/New Jersey Armenian-American community, Nvair feels fortunate to have been exposed to a rich Armenian cultural heritage throughout her life.  She has been on stage performing traditional Armenian song and dance with her family since childhood, and she continues in that vein, performing for children and their families across the country, connecting them to their roots with joy and laughter.

Bandaz shares that “This was a great project to work on.  Nvair has a great positive energy about her and it comes through her music. We had a lot of fun creating this CD, knowing that children will be listening and enjoying it as much as we enjoyed making it.”

Nvair is also honored to feature world-renowned oudist Ara Dinkjian, who accompanies her on the CD’s closing number, Hyreni Oror (Native Lullaby).  She has a strong emotional connection with this particular selection, as the lyrics were written by her maternal grandfather, author/poet Anoush Krikorian, who in turn was inspired by Aram Khachaturian’s moving composition of the Lullaby in the Gayane Suite Ballet.  Ara’s arrangement and sensitive performance balances an old world sound with a timeless lullaby.

Rounding out the team effort of the CD is the first time pairing of talented artists, illustrator, Nishan Akgulian and graphic designer, Arpie Gennetian Najarian.  With Nishan’s brilliant, lively illustrations, Arpie creates a flow to the layout which successfully presents the full contents of the lyrics of all the songs in both transliterated and Armenian type.  A special acknowledgment goes to Narine Hamalian, who so graciously assisted by typing in Armenian.

Ari Mer Doon with Nvair is available for purchase here  where listening samples are available.  Look for it at your local Armenian bookstore, as well.  As Nvair says, “Bring a bit of our home into your home, kick up your heels, throw back your head, sing-a-long, and dance-a-long with your HYEfamily friends!”

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Fair Lawn, New Jersey - Sunday afternoon, October 10, 2004

St. Leon Armenian Church presents A CONCERT FOR OUR CHILDREN with NVAIR & her HYEfamily friends - St Leon Armenian Church, under the Pastorship of Der Diran Bohajian, was proud to kick off Armenian Cultural Month with their second Interactive Children’s concert that featured one of the most exciting Armenian children’s entertainers in the industry, Nvair Kadian-Beylerian of Nvair and her HYEfamily Friends.

Nvair performed a program of children’s sing-along songs in Armenian, while offering entertaining English translations in between. The show opened with Nvair singing the popular wake-up song “Paree Looys” (Good Morning). The children, as well as the adults, enjoyed singing, dancing and clapping along to such favorites as “Dzapeeg Dzapeeg” (Clap Clap) and “Im Arevn Es” (You Are My Sunshine). During “Shokegark Yegav” (The Train Has Come), Nvair came down from the stage and started her own Choo Choo train line of over 100 children of which she led around Abajian Hall singing and dancing. Eshleeg Meshleeg (The Armenian Donkey), HYEfamily’s mascot, joined the performers back on stage and participated with his own dance routine with a new character Trchnig (the little bird) that the children loved. At one point the children in the audience delighted their parents by singing “Ayp, Pen, Keem” (The Armenian Alphabet Song) along with Nvair while she play the guitar. It was a magical intimate moment to clearly hear the voices of so many third generation children singing the alphabet of their forefathers.

Along with her daughters, Tamar (8) and Lucine (6), Nvair treated the crowd to songs from her newly debuted CD “Ari Mer Doon with Nvair”. Further on into the concert, Nvair once again descended the stage and danced with all of the children while singing “Khundzori Dari Dagin” (Underneath the Apple Tree) then onto “Mer Hye Tbrots” (Our Armenian School). While the children marched and sang, several tables of parents and grandparents stood and joined the singing of this classic song in remembrance of when they first learned it as children. The show concluded with the whole audience joining the ensemble singing “Yertank Kaghaloo” (Let’s Go Play).

Nvair shared her feelings about the work she’s doing, “Today’s children will lead us into the future. I feel privileged to have the opportunity share these songs from my childhood and our rich Armenian history. Several of these songs have been sung by Armenian children for generations and hopefully for many more generations to come.”

The old Sunday afternoon “Hantes” is what brought our Armenian families together in the past. It was a time when we could have fun together and rejoice in being Armenian. Parishioners would come away feeling good, restored, enriched, and privileged to have such a rich warm culture. This concert sponsored by St. Leon Armenian Church was very much that way, except that rather than children tagging along behind their parents, the children were the driving force, leading their parents and grandparents in song and dance. The Parish Council of St Leon would like to thank committee members Lynn Beylerian, Barbara Boghosian, Andrea Carden, Jacklin Ekmekjian, Jenia Kazanjian, Susan Kazanjian, Rose Najarian-Kedeshian, Mary Ann Mozian, John and Bertha Vanishkian, and Dr. Greg Kazanjian for chairing this event. The Council also wishes to extend a special word of thanks to the Sarkis Gabrellian Endowment Fund for providing St. Leon, the ability to give back to the community. 

"A TRADITIONAL ARMENIAN WEDDING" AT

First Armenian Event at Prestigious Museum Sells Out,

with Calls for an Encore

by Arda Nazerian Haratunian

Long Island, New York - December 30, 2004

What started as an ambitious idea four months ago led to a unique opportunity, the gracious participation of talented artists and enthusiastic community members of all ages and ended with a resounding success and calls for future programming that features the richness of the Armenian culture, traditions and people.

On December 30th, a sell out crowd at the Long Island Children's Museum (LICM) in Garden City, one of the finest children's cultural institutions in the nation, witnessed the re-enactment of "A Traditional Armenian Wedding."  Geared towards children, the lively 50-minute production captured the unique highlights of one of the most colorful events enjoyed by the Armenian people, a feeling reflected in the quote from Hripsime Pikichian that was prominently displayed across the stage as the audience walked in, “The most important of all Armenian festivals is the wedding, which essentially celebrates the entire human life cycle.” 

With an abundance of authentic props, the LICM stage was set with two homes – the bride’s on one side and the groom’s on the other, with lighting accentuating in whose home the activity was taking place, and dramatic photos of Mt. Ararat, scenes from Armenia and photos of actual traditional weddings playing on the screen behind the stage throughout.  The official “match” was made with the symbolic handing of a pomegranate from the bride’s mother to the groom’s Kavor, or best man, and there were numerous opportunities for merriment with singing and dancing that followed.  Frequent trips across the theater’s center aisle represented the many visits that take place between the two families in the months and years before the actual wedding day.  And the audience, in their role as the “harsnevor” or wedding guests, received wedding programs detailing all the activity and each guest left the wedding with a pomegranate necklace from Armenia. 

The performance featured talented singer and performer Nvair Kadian Beylerian of HYEFamily.com as the narrator, the graceful members of the Shushi Dance Ensemble under the direction of its respected director and choreographer Seta Kantardjian and live musicians, including Mark Gavoor on oud, Louis Najarian on clarinet and Mark Keshishian on d'hol and dumbeg.  The ceremony was followed by a wedding reception graciously overseen by Nayda Voskerichian that included a traditional kef.  Members from the Armenian Church of the Holy Martyrs community, including the ACYOA Jrs., made up the cast and lent energy and excitement to the event.

Robert Lemle, Chairman of the LICM Board of Directors, who was instrumental in the Museum staging the event and who attended the performance and reception, was extremely pleased with the final production and already began discussing the inclusion of Armenian culture in future LICM programming.  

"This was a fairly significant undertaking but I think everyone involved would agree, it was worth the effort," said Arda Haratunian who coordinated the production.  "We all seemed to be driven by the same desire to see our beautiful culture and traditions shared with non-Armenians.  Given the very positive response and the Museum's interest in future Armenian programming, it's incredibly gratifying to say we succeeded."  

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