A local Glendale, California preschool graduation show unexpectedly captured the hearts of millions worldwide. The ARTEK Child Education Center proudly presented this charming performance during their 2018 “Avartakan Handes,” which translates from Armenian to “Graduation Show.” Situated in a city famous for its prominent Armenian-American diaspora, the private school showcased a brilliant display of early childhood development. Led by Liouba Gasparian, with Robert and Lusine Gasparian also associated with the center’s administration, the program transformed a simple school routine into a global teaching masterclass through exceptional youth coordination and a highly creative routine.
The visual aesthetic and musical backdrop of the performance perfectly complemented the young students. The boys were dressed in dapper, vintage-Hollywood outfits featuring matching slacks, vests, bowties, and fedora hats. Their routine was set to a lively piano rendition of “Letkiss,” a classic 1960s Finnish jenkka dance song composed by Rauno Lehtinen. Uploaded under the handle “opiacat,” the footage was shared directly by the school’s administration to showcase their students’ impressive talents. The result was a captivating scene that immediately hooked viewers.
Audiences quickly fell in love with the children’s confidence and the brilliant choreography customized for their age. The routine required immense training for the boys to execute complex synchronized movements like slapping their thighs, crossing their legs, and sharply tipping their hats. One fan praised the adorable styling, saying they had love and special props for the little one wearing his hat at a jaunty tilt. Another viewer applauded the choreographic design, noting that it was the best use of a young child’s skill level they had ever seen.
The most thrilling highlight of the dance was the daring chair-jumping stunt, which might leave The Music Man community feeling a mix of anxiety and sheer amazement. One viewer admitted the final jump over the chairs had them slightly concerned, but praised the smart young men for taking it in their stride effortlessly. Another commenter humorously confessed that the jump genuinely scared them, but congratulated the kids on a good job. As teachers worldwide continue to draw inspiration from this masterful exercise in early childhood coordination, it’s clear that this charming routine has set a gold standard for youth performances everywhere. You can enjoy another adorable graduation performance by the talented young students at the ARTEK center.
The video’s staggering success highlights its massive global reach, amassing over 7.1 million views and 40,000 likes. It quickly evolved beyond a viral internet trend, inspiring educators and early childhood development professionals worldwide. The performance earned features on educational resources, including the Swiss BDRP and French school-activity materials. This widespread recognition helped the routine travel through educational resources and reposts, proving the universal appeal of such an engaging and well-executed routine.
The musical accompaniment itself became a highly sought-after resource. The piano arrangement, listed on PaidTabs in the key of E-flat, perfectly matched the energetic pace of the chair dance. Due to viewer interest and international educators wanting to recreate the magic, the music eventually found its way onto sheet-music platforms. PaidTabs lists a transcription by the independent contributor Carlosarl, with opiacat identified as the source/channel for the performance. This gave would-be recreators a way to bring a piece of Glendale’s finest early childhood choreography into their own classrooms.