In multi-cultural, multi-faith America, the holiday season brings out a rich variety of ethnic and cultural combinations. Last week, for instance, a bell choir of Armenian teenagers performed American and Armenian Christmas music in Washington?s Mormon temple. Oksana Dragan has more about this in today?s edition of New American Voices.
St. Mary?s children?s bell choir consists of ten teenagers, all but two of whom were born in Armenia and immigrated to the United States with their families within the last ten years. Leon Khoja-Eynatyan, the choir director, says participating in the bell choir keeps the teenagers connected to their Armenian roots.
During the Christmas season, the bell choir performs seasonal music in church, but also introduces American audiences to Armenian carols.
The choir director?s 14-year-old daughter Tatevik is a member of the choir. She says she loves both the musical and the social aspects of bell ringing.
Tatevik, who plans to be a psychologist when she grows up, also plans to retain her Armenian culture and identity.
Her father being a professional percussionist -? in addition to being the choir director --, Tatevik Khoja-Eynatyan was the featured drummer during the bell choir?s rendition of one of America?s favorite Christmas songs, .
Another member of the choir is fifteen-year-old Seda Ambarzumian, who immigrated to the United States ten years ago. Seda also wants to retain her Armenian identity.
On the other hand, Seda says she likes living in the United States very much.
Seda Ambarzumian says that her American friends at school respect her for maintaining her Armenian culture in the American melting pot.
While the members of the children?s bell choir go to American schools and have many American friends, in their free time they tend to gravitate to activities with other young Armenians.
Among the numbers performed by the Armenian bell choir was another seasonal favorite, the , based on a traditional Ukrainian Christmas carol.
As one member of the audience said after this performance ? ?an Armenian bell choir performing a Ukrainian carol in a Mormon temple in Washington. What could be more American?!?