In Armenia, 5th-7th graders are studying the subject “National Song and Dance” already in 463 schools. Over the years, we have trained more than 600 teachers.

As a result of this project, the subject “National Song and Dance” will be introduced in 200 more schools.

When and How did it all start?

The famous Armenian choreographer, founder of the “Karin” traditional song and dance group, and Honored Worker of Culture of the Republic of Armenia, Gagik Ginosyan, believed that children should learn about traditional culture from an early age.

His authored subject “National Song and Dance” was first tested at the “Ayb” school in 2011. It turned out that traditional song and dance have a unifying nature, they are able to charge students with energy. In addition, they arouse curiosity in children about the culture and history of their own country and contribute to the awakening of national identity.

Since 2014, the subject has been introduced in RA schools. And already in 2016, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the “National Song and Dance” Educational-Cultural Foundation (NSDA) and the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia. According to the latter, the NSDA is considered a specialized foundation in the field by the state, and is obliged, in particular, to develop the “National Song and Dance” subject program and to conduct teacher trainings. 

What do we have today ?

The subject “National Song and Dance” is taught by teachers with different specialization who participate in mandatory subject-specific trainings, lasting a total of 30 days. Today, the program is implemented in half of Armenia’s schools. We have more than 600 teachers who have completed the trainings.

What is the project budget?

If funding is available, we will have the opportunity to train another 200 schools. And in 3-4 years, the implementation process will be completed in all schools. 

You can learn more about the project budget here.

On average, each student learns national song and dance at school for only 2500 drams.

Join us! Let's introduce national song and dance in all schools!

What are we going to do?

We are often asked what exactly we are doing within the framework of this program.

Here is the answer:

• Data collection on schools and teachers,
• Discussions with the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports,
• Redesigning the curriculum according to the new educational standards,
• Implementation of monitoring (via video messages),
• Teacher activities in communities ( two community-based events per year),
• Teacher trainings, 
• Organization of regional festivals,
• Working with target groups (teachers, principals, parents, local governing bodies), 
• Organizing a final performance in Yerevan for students from schools that showed the best results.

About us

The National Song and Dance Academy (NSDA) marks a milestone — 10 incredible years of preserving Armenian cultural heritage! Founded by the Ayb Educational Foundation and the renowned Armenian choreographer, folklorist, and public figure Gagik Ginosyan — founder of the Karin traditional song and dance ensemble and an Honored Cultural Figure of the Republic of Armenia — the Foundation has a clear mission: to revive national songs and dances and reintegrate them into daily life. 

By doing so, it aims to make them an inseparable part of Armenian culture, ensuring everyone has the chance to carry this heritage forward.