FROM FOLK TO BALLROOM

I met this young dynamic ballroom dancer, choreographer, and dance educator Vard Margaryan in the august company of the world’s oldest Ballroom Dancer Ms. Tao Porchon Lynch, in 2018, at a party thrown by Ms, Lynch in New York.

Vard’s charisma and charm caught my attention and since then I have known this brilliant dancer personally and professionally. He has over three decades of experience, was born in Armenia, began dancing at the age of five, training in folk, ballet, and ballroom before earning top honors from the Yerevan Choreographic College.

Excerpts from the interview:

Let’s start at the very beginning. How did your dance journey begin?

I started dancing when I was five years old, beginning with Armenian folk dance. I was the youngest in the ensemble, always standing at the front—not just because I was small, but because I had a natural connection to music and movement. Even at that age, I craved the stage. But after months of unfulfilled promises about performing, I grew disheartened. I think performing was simply in my soul from the start.

How did you transition into ballroom?

Soon after, my parents enrolled me in the “Zvartnots” Ballroom Dance Academy in my hometown of Ejmiatsin. It was under the direction of the incredible Irina Sarukhanyan. From my very first lesson, she saw something in me, my passion, my musicality, and accepted me without hesitation. That was the true beginning of a lifelong journey. I transitioned into ballroom dancing at just over five years old, and now, 32 years later, I still feel the same joy every time I step onto the dance floor.

What were those early competitive years like?

I began competing in the youngest age categories of International Ballroom and Latin. Very quickly, I started winning championships: titles like the Gloria Cup, the Zvartnots Academy title, and multiple Caucasian Cups. Those early victories gave me the confidence to keep aiming higher.

The Inspiring Journey of Vard Margaryan

You also trained formally in many different dance forms, correct?

Yes. From 2002 to 2006, I attended the Yerevan Choreographic College. My training there covered a wide range of dance styles—Armenian, Russian, Ukrainian, Moldovan, Spanish, Gypsy folk, and classical ballet. I graduated with the highest honors and was awarded the prestigious Henri Mangasaryan diploma.

What was your next step after graduation?

At my graduation performance, I received invitations from four of Armenia’s top dance ensembles. I chose ballet and joined the Armenian National Opera and Ballet Theater. Around the same time, I served in a special division of the army called “Spayi Tun,” which was made up of artists, dancers, and musicians who performed for military units across the country.

So you were dancing across multiple styles even while serving in the military?

Exactly. While serving, I had the rare opportunity to continue performing Armenian folk, ballet, and ballroom all at once. I also toured internationally during that time, performing the iconic Armenian ballet “Gayane” in Egypt and Abu Dhabi.

When did you make the move to the United States?

In 2008, after completing my service, my former teacher Irina invited me to the United States. It was a life-changing opportunity. I arrived on November 15th with one goal in mind, to become a U.S. champion and reach the highest level of ballroom dancing. I began teaching in New York, and that’s where I met Ms. Tao Porchon Lynch. She came to me to learn ballroom dancing at the age of 92. From the very first lesson, I could feel her spirit—full of wisdom, peace, and joy. She taught me so much more than I taught her. Tao would say things like, “When you wake up, thank God. Breathe. Hear the birds. Touch the world. Live today like it’s your last, so dance, don’t waste a second.”

Your performance with Tao on America’s Got Talent became quite famous. How did that happen?

One day, Tao told me we’d been invited to perform on America’s Got Talent. I honestly thought she was joking! At the time, I was in California, so I choreographed from there and flew to New York to rehearse with her for just two days. Tao was 96 then and I was 26. We were seventy years apart, but completely in sync. The performance went viral, and I still have our photo from AGT hanging in my studio. I tell every new student about Tao, she died at the age of 102, but those amazing 10 years left a mark on my life, and now she continues to inspire my students too.

What have been some of your most memorable achievements?

I’m trained in every major ballroom style—Cha Cha Cha, Rumba, Swing, Bolero, Mambo, Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Viennese Waltz, Samba, Paso Doble, Jive, Quickstep, West Coast Swing, Bachata, Salsa, Merengue, Hustle, Country Two-Step, and more. Because of that I am blessed to have won many honours: 3x U.S. National & World Professional American Rhythm Bronze Medallist, 2011 World Mambo Champion, Ohio Star Ball Rising Star Champion & Show dance Vice Champion, FADS National Undefeated Professional American Rhythm Champion, Guest Performer on America’s Got Talent, Top 40 on So You Think You Can Dance Season 9 (out of over 7,000 dancers), NDCA (National Dance Council of America) National Adjudicator.

Tell us about your daughter who is the world’s youngest ballroom dancer?

I’m blessed with my amazing wife, Sofya Zhamharyan, and our two beautiful children: Maria and Yuri. And here’s the full-circle moment—Tao once became the world’s oldest competitive ballroom dancer, and now my daughter Maria, at just two years old, became the world’s youngest ballroom competitor. One of her first dance videos went viral, reaching over 60 million views. She’s five now, and just like me, she lives and breathes music and movement. I like to think this is Tao’s spirit living on in my daughter.

Finally, what does dance mean to you today?

For me, dancing isn’t just a career. It’s my story, my passion, my family, and my legacy. From a little boy in the front row of a folk dance ensemble to an international competitor, teacher, and father—it’s been a journey filled with joy, challenges, and unforgettable moments. And the best part is, the journey continues every single day I step onto the dance floor.

Sandip Soparrkar holds a doctorate in world mythology folklore from Pacific University USA, an honorary doctorate in performing arts from the National American University, He is a World Book Record holder, a well-known Ballroom dancer and a Bollywood choreographer who has been honored with three National Excellence awards, one National Achievement Award and Dada Saheb Phalke award by the Government of India. He can be contacted on sandipsoparrkar06@gmail.com