SYDNEY: Hamazkaine Shant Chapter and the organising committee expressed their collective congratulations to the entire Armenian Community of Sydney for taking part in the inaugural Armenian Community Performing Arts Awards (ACPAA), both as audience and competitors.

The event, which took place on Sunday 16th May 2010, at The Smith Auditorium was a huge success. It incorporated all members of the Sydney Armenian community between the ages of 7-25. Individuals, schools and chapters participated in showcasing their performing arts talent on one stage in a joint force of strength and talent.

This groundbreaking event was supported by a full house of 500 applauding audiences overwhelmed by the quality and standard of talent displayed by the community's youth.

Judging took place by a panel of professional musicians which also included the well renowned Professor Warren Thomson as special guest judge. As well as the panel, the audience also had the opportunity to vote for their favourite act.

The competitive part of the evening was full of individuals and school groups who up until now have been unknown to the majority of the Armenian Community.

The event had participation from all of our schools including AGBU Alexander Primary School, all three Hamazkaine Staurday Schools, as well as Galstaun College.

Peppered amongst these groups were talented young individuals displaying talents as varied as they come. From seven year old Garod Varjabedian who recited "Yerg Azadoutyan" with conviction and pride, to the eight year old twins Tara and Anthony Sahagian who played 1 piano 4 hands Marche Millitaire with such gusto, professionalism and synchronicity to the Shamavonian brothers who's duet of Violin and Oboe was a mesmerising rendition. The evening was capped of with Harout Bezdikian on the thunderous Dhol which got the audience clapping & dancing in their seats.

The competitive portion of the evening was completed and was followed by Alex Sahagian on the piano with two evocative pieces by Skryabin & Rachmaninoff as well as Ari Palandjian who stirred up the audience with his own interpretation of Manuel songs played on the saxophone.

A statement from the organisers read: "Hamazkaine Shant Chapter and The Armenian Community Performing Arts Awards Committee would like to congratulate the following competitors for their achievements."

Best Overall Performance - Sarkis Dekermendjian

Audience Choice award was split into 3 competitors in order of audience vote count.

1st Choice - AGBU Alexander Primary School Choir
2nd Choice - Nareg Dekermendjian - Flute
3rd Choice - Tarkmanchats Saturday School

Age 7-11

Outstanding Performance Alina Tchetchenian
Runner up Tara & Anthony Sahakian
Highly Commendable (split) Garod Varjabedian & Robert Banian
Encouragement Awards Anna Berberian & Tamar Aghajanian

Age 12-16

Outstanding Performance Patil Sevagian
Runner up Alexander Galitsky
Highly Commendable Chris Bandarian
Encouragement Awards Isabelle Marcarian & Shahan Soghomonian

Age 17+

Outstanding Performance Rafael & Nareg Shamavonian
Runner up Saro Karadanian
Highly Commendable Harout Bezdikian
Encouragement Awards Manouk Kotoyan & Ohaness Ohanessian

Group Performance

Outstanding Performance split - Agbu Alexander Primary School, Nanor Choir & Toumanian Choir
Runner up -
Highly Commendable Vocal Ensemble
Encouragement Awards Tarkmanchats Dance Ensemble

(NB: Hamazkaine Shant Chapter wish to announce that an error was made in the awarding of the Audience Choice Award, during the Armenian Community Performing Arts Awards Competition which was held on Sunday May 16th, 2010. The correct Audience Choice order, according to the audience vote on the day was:

1st Choice - AGBU Alexander Primary School Choir
2nd Choice - Nareg Dekermendjian - Flute
3rd Choice - Tarkmanchats Saturday School Dance Ensemble)

The $500 prize money allocated to this award was increased to $600 and has been equally divided between the three winners. Hamazkaine Shant Chapter wish to congratulate all competitors for their outstanding achievements.