RECLAIM 2018: Creativity Explored & Celebrated

Last year we began to “Reclaim” what we too often take for granted: Our Faith. Embracing our faith in a changing world was the topic. This year the mission continues… Reclaim 2018 is about “Exploring and Celebrating the Creative Spirit!” (March 2-4, 2018 at the Western Diocese Headquarters, Burbank)

A wide variety of presenters from different walks of life will be sharing their personal experiences and providing insights into the Creative Spirit that is both within us and outside of us. Like last year, Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese, is opening the entire expanse of the Western Diocese and St. Leon (Srbots Ghevondyants) Cathedral to Reclaim Conference. Even more, “This is the Year of the Youth,” says Abp. Derderian, “His Holiness Karekin II, our Catholicos, has brought the focus of 2018 to the plight of our youth. Reclaiming our faith is what is necessary and we’re proud to start off the year with this expression.”

Timed during the Lenten Season, the “Reclaim” conference offers offer participants an opportunity to grow spiritually and explore new dimensions of faith in Jesus Christ. Creative energy flows in us as gift of God. This energy is to be explored and celebrated at Reclaim.

Conference organizer, Fr. Vazken Movsesian explains, “The Creative Spirit is an expression of our Divine soul, therefore it is both inside us and outside of us. With the variety of presentations, we will have the chance to explore and even celebrate the Spirit. Spiritual Dance, meditation, prayer services, nature hike, virtual reality exhibits and much more, take us out of the normal confines of a conference and make Reclaim truly a unique experience. The three-day format for this conference will offer time for instruction, expression, introspection, artistic exploration and fellowship. International participation is welcome.”

We highlight here a few of the presentations.

Isabel Bayrakdarian – Opera Singer, Professor of Music at UCSB, Biomedical Engineer

In a career still in its second decade, an eagerly anticipated visitor to opera houses and concert halls the world over, she’s become as celebrated for her beauty, presence, and style as for a strikingly multihued voice that’s wholly in sync with the rest of her.

A winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions—the same year she graduated from the University of Toronto cum laude with a Biomedical Engineering Degree—Ms. Bayrakdarian thereafter found her career taking rapid wing. She scored a notable success in the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s world premiere production of William Bolcom’s A View from the Bridge; the following year, she walked away from Plácido Domingo’s prestigious Operalia competition with first prize. More debuts followed.

But opera is only one page of the Bayrakdarian résumé. An ever-active concertizer, she’s appeared with the premier orchestras of New York, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, Minnesota, RAI Torino, Paris, London, Vienna, Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal under the baton of eminent and prominent conductors. Her versatility is also reflected in being the featured vocalist on the Grammy-award winning soundtrack of the blockbuster film The Two Towers from The Lord of The Rings trilogy.

Ms. Bayrakdarian is on the Voice Faculty at the University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB). Read her entire story at www.bayrakdarian.com

At the Reclaim Conference, Ms. Bayrakdarian will share her deep-seated faith and the Spirit that inspires her to move mountains. Her latest album, “Mother of Light” is a testimony to the power of faith. Herein she brings praise and glory to the Power that has been the Source of her talents. Reclaim participants will have a unique opportunity to hear her story as never before.

Michael Goorjian –  Actor, Writer, Director

Michael Goorjian, born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, is an Armenian-American actor, filmmaker, and writer. As an actor, Michael won the Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actor in the television movie David’s Mother and was a series regular on Fox’s Party of Five. Other television credits include, Lie to Me, House, Alias, Monk, Covert Affairs and HBO’s The Wizard of Lies. Film credits include, Newsies, Chaplin, Leaving Las Vegas, Hard Rain, SLC Punk, and Illusion, a film Michael wrote, directed and starred in alongside Hollywood-legend Kirk Douglas. Michael’s first novel What Lies Beyond the Stars was release in 2016. He is currently working on a follow-up novel due out later this year. More at www.michaelagoorjian.com

At the Reclaim Conference Goorjian will discuss the creative process and his artistic interpretation that has contributed to his understanding of life. In his book, What Lies Beyond the Stars, which Goorjian describes as “philosophical fiction” he uses metaphors and themes to make philosophically deep concepts accessible to the reader. His concern for relevance is articulated in his work, in that he takes the time to interpret his work and approach it with introspection.

Participants at the Reclaim conference are in for a treat, as this remarkable young actor/director opens himself to sharing and discussing the essence of the Creative Spirit.

Melina “Mel” Sardar, M.A. CPLC –  Life Coach, Trainer. Speaker, Consultant                                                                        

Melina Sardar has a proven track record for motivating and inspiring business professionals, youth, adults, and groups within a diverse population.  Her best ability is in empowering and motivating others to act with purpose and set goals with the pursuit of achieving them.

Since 2003, Melina has been operating her private coaching practice, and specializes in providing 1-on-1 coaching in areas of career, relationship, emotional awareness, stress and anxiety management. She is committed to coaching and training individuals to increase productivity, be happy, and create a life with new choices.  She also  organizes and hosts retreats for women.

Melina is passionate about teaching professional and personal development trainings on emotional Intelligence, self and relationship management, as well as confidence and communication.  In 2012, Melina received the Business Life Magazine, Women’s Achievers Award for her active involvement and volunteer work since 1999 with Ark Family Center, Inc. a Glendale non-profit serving youth, professionals and families with seminars, coaching and mentoring.

In addition to being invited to train and motivate different groups, associations, and organizations, she is also the author of a 21- Day workbook, titled A Woman’s Spiritual Healing Experience, “SHE”, where she has designed “Self-Care strategies” for individuals, and professionals who want to grow, feel more confident, heal the past and find more meaning and purpose in their lives.   More at www.MeltheLifeCoach.com

At Reclaim, there will be opportunities for participants to engage in dialogue with Ms. Sardar during her sessions. Furthermore, along with Fr. Vazken she will be leading a very special session potential within each person in their understanding as a unique being.

The conference begins Friday, March 2 and goes through Sunday, March 4. The $175 fee includes all classes, material and meals during the conference. An early-bird registration fee of $125 is available for those who register by February 20. (One fee for the entire conference, all three days. Sessions are not available on an a la carte basis.) Scholarships are available so that no one is left out.