DOUGLASTON, NY - A special musical performance featuring internationally known violinist and professor Svetlana Oganesian and pianist professor Gayane Avakian will take place on Sunday, January 14, 2: 30 p.m. at St. Sarkis Church's Main Hall here. Donation is $10 per person, children free.

Both Ms. Oganesian and Ms. Avakian are natives of Yerevan, Armenia. They were both awarded doctorate degrees in music from Yerevan's Gomidas State Conservatory and served as professors at the conservatory until 1992, when they emigrated to the United States.

Ms. Oganesian pursued her studies further at Stony Brook University and received a Doctor of Musical Art degree in 1997. To her credit, Ms. Oganesian has also won a second award, Special Prize of Press in the 1989 International Contest of Chamber Music in Italy.

In the United States, Ms. Avakian's performance venues have included Weil Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Staller Center for the Arts (Stony Brook, NY) and New York's St. Bartholomew Church.

Both musicians are more than qualified to present us with an afternoon of delightful music from Gomidas, Khachaturian and others. This will be an afternoon to be remembered.

The funds raised at this performance will benefit the newly developing Yeraz dance group for Armenian youngsters of St. Sarkis Church. Yeraz is taught and choreographed by two able dance performers themselves: Mr. Karnig Nercessian and Mrs. Lena Orangian, both members of St. Sarkis Church. The debut for Yeraz is scheduled for the spring of 2001.