ARMfolk Dancers from Armenia. This image was captured during a performance by the ARMfolk Dancers, who visited Sedona as part of a monthlong cultural exchange program. Their tour was sponsored and organized by Rotary International and the Rotary Children’s Fund, and their local visit was sponsored and supported by the Rotary Club of Sedona Village and the Sedona Chamber Ballet organizations.

And this troupe of performers was truly amazing! Ranging in age from 14 to 20, they gave a total of six performances this day (Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023) – 5 for students in Sedona public schools and then a sixth in the evening for a large - and delighted - audience at the Sedona Performing Arts Center. They never flagged or stopped smiling, and were exemplary representatives of their country and culture!

I photographed them for the entire day, capturing over 2100 images in the process. This one is from late in their evening performance, and it illustrates the energy and passion of these remarkable troopers even at the end of that very long day.

Image ©2023 James D. Peterson

Tech info: Nikon D8590 camera with Tamron 70-200mm lens at 90mm, 1/200 sec. at f/8, ISO 8000