Tom Bozigian, of
Los Angeles, California, is an internationally recognized dance
instructor. He is a graduate of the Armenian State Choreographic
Academy and also holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree (B.A.) in Russian
Area Studies and a Master of Arts Degree (M.A.) in Education from
Fresno State University. He is fluent in three languages: English,
Armenian and Russian. He unites the elements of professional
dancer-choreographer/linguist/musician to support his far-reaching
research on the subject of Armenian dance ethnography. Tom Bozigian
is particularly sought out for his extensive knowledge of dances
from the pre-1915 period and has presented some of his material to
institutes and ensembles throughout Armenia. His dance expertise
also covers dances of the Armenian Diaspora and new folk dances. Tom
Bozigian's teaching has taken him to most continents of the world.
He has been commissioned to set suites of Armenian dances for both
Armenian and non-Armenian dance ensembles in various countries, and
he regularly tours the Orient and Europe teaching Armenian dance.
Along with his teaching courses, which includes instruction in
Russian character, Lebanese (Dabke) and Greek folk dances, Tom
Bozigian leads a folklore orchestra which has produced numerous
recordings. He is an accomplished percussionist with nearly 45 years
of performance experience as a dancer/singer/musician.
Tom Bozigian was born in Los Angeles, California to Armenian
parents. His father immigrated to America from Gumri-Alexandropol,
Armenia. His mother's parents immigrated from Kharpert, East
Anatolya (father) and Varna, Bulgaria (mother). The family moved to
Fresno, California in the early 1940's, where Tom was raised and
educated. There he learned Armenian language, music and dance from
both Caucasian and Anatolian Armenians who had immigrated to this
fertile agricultural area in the San Joaquin Valley and continued to
maintain the many songs and dances representing their many regions.
The 1920's through 1960's were peak periods of ethnic activity in
Fresno and it was during this time, beginning in the late 1940's,
that Tom developed a life-long love of original Armenian song and
dance.
In 1968, Tom moved back to Los Angeles where he taught Russian
studies in the Pasadena School System. An award winning athlete in
his youth, Tom continued his dance training in Los Angeles studying
ballet as well as Armenian dance with the noted choreographer Jora
Markarian. This led to an invitation from the Soviet Armenian
government in the early 1970's for Tom to study at the State
Choreographic School, Sayat Nova. During his 3-year stay in Armenia
studying classical, Russian character and Armenian dance, Tom
participated in regional field research filming and recording
provincial songs and dances throughout the country. Much of this was
coordinated with the University of Yerevan Ethnographic Institute.
After graduating from the choreographic school in Armenia and
returning to Los Angeles in 1975, Tom Bozigian made the decision to
devote his career full-time to the preservation, performance and
instruction of original Armenian song and dance. Each year Tom
travels to Armenia to continue teaching and research, working with
various institutions and dance specialists such as Artashes
Karapetyan of the Mankavarzhakan Institute for Dance as well as with
folk musicians. Areas throughout Armenia, including other countries,
are targeted and visited for the purpose of drawing analogies of
original dances from both Armenia and the Diaspora.
In Los Angeles Tom continues with classical dance training and
studies musical arrangement and harmony. Presently, he teaches
weekly classes in Armenian dance in southern California and plays
with his trio of folk musicians who have recently recorded two CD's.
He also regularly records with the Armenian State Television
Ensemble for Folk Instruments which has also been included on his
CD's.
TOM BOZIGIAN