HMADS Gala Dinner Dance: An Elegant Evening of Celebration

By Arpi Arukian

BAYSIDE, N.Y.—The Friends of HMADS Gala Dinner Dance Committee, under the leadership of Chairpersons Maro Jamgotchian and Arek Nisanyan, has been hard at work preparing for this year’s 20^th anniversary celebration. To ensure it will be the most successful gala to date, the event will feature the vocal styling of acclaimed Armenian artist Elie Berberian and his band. The Dinner Dance, which will be held on Sat., May 3, will introduce this exciting young artist to many in the community, while delighting his legion of already devoted fans.

Born in Lebanon, Elie Berberian began his vocal training in the Conservatoire National du Liban with Nona Manoyan. He continued his musical studies at McGill University in Montreal under the renowned Maestro Tenor Stefano Algieri, and earned a master’s degree in music and performance. Berberian made his professional stage debut in 2009 as Ruggero in “La Rondine” with Opera McGill. A year later, he captured the hearts of the Puccini-loving audience in his role as Rodolfo in “La Boheme.” Since his arrival in Canada, Berberian has worked with experienced such coaches as Stephano Algieri, Michael McMahon, Patrick Hansen, François Racine, Louise Pelletier, Julian Wachner, and Dana Nigrim.

Berberian’s singing repertoire includes songs and opera arias in English, German, French, and Italian languages. Aside from his success in the operatic field, he is also an accomplished Armenian artist. Advocating the richness of Armenian musical heritage has always been Berberian’s pride and joy. Over the years, he has performed in various countries, including Lebanon, Egypt, Greece, France, Australia, the United States, and throughout Canada, where he is now settled.

The Friends Committee invites the public to experience Elie Berberian’s vocal talents first-hand at the Woodbury Country Club, where the Dinner Dance will be held. This magnificent 18-acre estate, once owned by U.S. Treasurer Ogden Mills, offers a remarkable, secluded landscape with fountains and lakeside gazebos. It offers the perfect setting for a cocktail reception with sumptuous hors d’oeuvres, followed by a full-course dinner and dancing in the club’s elegant ballroom.

For more information call the school office at (718) 225-4826; Negdar Arukian at (718) 423-4813; Siragan Varolian at (718) 631-7131; or Siran Saroyan at (718) 224-0121.