After moving to America, Mihran continued to dance in his father’s
newly founded modern dance group. Despite his age, he had already
managed to dance, get filmed and direct solo dances and dance on TV
programs. He was the youngest dancer in the last concerts of Britney
Spears and Madonna. Mihran participated in a series of concerts with
Britney Spears. They performed at the opening of the National Football
League (NFL) in 2003, the American Music Awards, the 2003 Jingle Ball.
Recently, Britney and Mihran were traveling with Madonna on her concert
tour. Mihran has received awards in a series of contests. Mihran
Kirakosyan: “At first I used to dance in different genres. What
inspired me were Michael Jackson’s music and music videos. I was trying
to dance like Michael who was inspired by James Brown. In high school,
I started attending classes in professional acting and dance. I was
dancing everything-jazz, rap, classical, Hip Hop….Later, I got more
interested in Hip Hop, I started to like it and developed more in that
genre. I danced for two years in that school and after that my Hip Hop
dance teacher enlisted me in a special dance studio where I met another
dance teacher. From here on, the Millennium dance studio enrolled me
and I started taking the classes. The most famous dancers and singers
have studied in this studio. I used to go to the classes every day. I
had decided to become a dancer. At school, during our performances, the
teacher used to invite experts from different agencies to watch our
performance. One time I danced a solo dance that I had choreographed
and they liked me. Some agencies chose me to dance for them. I did not
agree with their offers, but a while later I signed a contract with the
well-known Clear Talent Group (CTG) agency and started to work at a
professional level. At first it was hard, there were many good dancers
there, but after two years I had many performances. These types of
agencies help out dancers; they send them to perform at concerts of
famous singers. Singers want dancers who can dance in the style they
want and go to special agencies. That is how I got a chance to perform
with Britney and Madonna. I participated in the competitions. Out of
the 1000 participants, the agency chooses the nine best dancers. I also
won the competition. I was sure that I was going to win because it has
always been my dream to dance with Britney and Madonna.”
“168 hours”: How was it like working with Britney Spears and Madonna?
Mihran Kirakosyan: “Well, first we work alone with the choreographers
and then when our dance is ready, we practice with the singer. A total
of twenty two choreographers work on one concert. There are private
choreographers for each song. It was easy working with Britney from the
start. She has a good humor and she is very friendly. I can say the
same for Madonna. At first, it was hard communicating with her because
after all, it had always been our dream to dance with Madonna. What
should we say? How should we greet her? I even get nervous now when we
have worked together and have grown close. I have worked with many
singers, including Pink, Dena Kali, Lil’Kim. I have starred in films as
a dancer, in music videos, but dancing with Britney Spears and Madonna
was our dream. After the show, we have all gone out to eat and
celebrated the success of the concert.”
“168 hours”: “Why Hip Hop?”
M.K.: When you live in America, the culture, the rhythm of life,
whether you like it or not, becomes a part of you. I chose Hip Hop
because it is not only a dance, but it is also a lifestyle. Hip Hop has
started progressing from the 1980s through rap and break dancing. Hip
Hop includes all types of dance, You have to always follow up because
there is a new dance step every month. Every dancer adds something to
the dance which makes it popular. That new dance step stays popular
until someone comes up with something new. Michael Jackson’s art has
always been my guide and today some of his albums are in 1st place. The
songs sound fresh each time you hear them. An artist’s creations are
always new, there is new energy in them.”
“168 hours”: You choreograph your own songs and even teach them. How do you come up with new dance steps?
Mihran Kirakosyan: “I have been inspired by all professional artists. I
have learned a lot from my teachers. I have formed my own style with
all that I have received. Everything in my life can remind me of dance,
whether it be a film, nature, the street, the stores….At first I try it
out with my friends as a joke, then, if I like it, I choreograph it.
Hip Hop is not only a dance, but also a lifestyle. I can tell what kind
of music a person likes just by looking at him, how he thinks…For
example, I always put my cap on backwards-a little crooked. That
probably has to do with the fact that I am a lefty. That is how my
dances differ from other dances. The steps start with the left. I have
gone to karate for 5-6 years. Karate is not only a battle, but also, a
way of thinking. It is a synthesis of body and mind which helps me a
lot in dancing. I have used many elements in my dance from people who
do magic and we have choreographed it as a group. The dance has been
very mystic. So, the themes are unlimited. You have to see it and feel
it at the same time”.
“168 hours”: “Is Hip Hop about money, being rich, elegance, nice cars…?”
M.K.: All Hip Hop songs are about life, love, wealth, having a
$1,000,000 dollar diamond ring….The reason for that is because many Hip
Hop artists sing about their past life and all the bad things they have
seen, when they were living in one room with 7-8 people, dreaming of
having a nice house and a nice car….They were poets at the time and
they were dreaming of becoming a star. That arouses the youth to strive
for the good life. I, for one, have never liked wearing gold necklaces
or a $1,000,000 million dollar ring…that means nothing to me. I have a
dream of becoming a famous dancer and singer and get an education
because I dropped out of school. When I was in school, I always thought
about progressing in dance. One is content when his hobby is also his
job, his business. Currently, I am creating a rap album with one of my
African American friends. We also sing in the album too. I have rapped
with all kinds of rap artists and it has not turned out so bad. Maybe
later I will open up my own studio or agency. I will turn 20 years old
in January. After 25, I have to think about what I will do next. I am
thinking about the future. There will always be dancers who will be
younger than you and will dance with high energy. Life is too short.
The longer a star’s life, the shorter it gets. I want to make my other
dreams a reality. I want to become one of the best rap artists.
Currently, I have no contract signed, so I am free to do my own thing.
I am touring with Madonna and the concert is big and interesting.
“168 hours”: “Hasn’t Michael Jackson disappointed his fans with what he did?”
M.K.: “Michael Jackson is a talented, world famous artist. Nobody can
say for sure if what the media says is true. He has lovers and haters.
Michael Jackson has lent a helping hand to many people; including needy
children and young artists…Perhaps he was framed? Nobody can give an
exact answer…..The people who listen to his music will keep on
listening and will buy all his albums.”
“168 hours”: “Have you met him?”
M.K.: One time I was performing with Britney at a concert where there
were also many other performers. Afterwards I immediately came home and
turned on the television to watch the concert. It turned out that
Michael Jackson was to perform after our performance. He had been
backstage but we had not met. I don’t like meeting singers in between,
or hand out video clips, exchange phone numbers, etc. First of all,
they get tired of that and even though they reject it in a kind way,
they can’t choose a dancer or singer based on that. Do you know how
many people come up to them each day? Britney and I were standing
outside during the rehearsal break. Some fans recognized her. Her
bodyguards did not let them get close to the singer. Who could they
let? Instead of letting them approach her, in cases like that the
bodyguard writes down the addresses of the fans. Britney or Madonna
then sign their names on their photographs and send them to the given
addresses.