Oops! The link for the talent show video was incorrect in our original email. Please disregard the previous version. Merci! 
Merci and Happy 20th Anniversary! 

Thanks so much to everyone who joined us at the Global Showcase for the closing of our year of celebrations for the 20th Anniversary of FASPS. And what a fitting way to close with an event that truly embodied the values and spirit of FASPS. 

Led by the visonary and indefatigable Brianna Winn, a volunteer team of more than 30 parents (with support from their extended families and communities) showcased at 11 booths that displayed the richness of their cultures and traditions with details that blew away our more than 425 guests. We are extremely grateful to these volunteers for their generosity of time and talent and their openness to sharing in a way that was so special to all who attended. Please see the list below of all those involved. 

We were also very lucky to witness six beautiful and fascinating cultural performances and 21 student performances on our stage throughout the afternoon. Please see the links below to view photos and videos from this spectacle! A huge thank you to all of our performers as well as the student and parent volunteers who helped manage the show, run the sound board, and announce the performers. 

Guests also had a chance to have their photo taken in two different photo booths. Click below to view the charming photos with Santa and Anna.  

And finally, thanks to all of the students, parents, faculty, staff, trustees, and friends who have been a part of FASPS over the past 20 years. We are so proud of all we have accomplished together and excited for the next 20 years and beyond! 


Please note that many parents have specific restrictions on the release of their children's photos to the public and on social media.  We ask that you respect these wishes and keep the photos and videos shared here internal among our community.


Merci to the incredible team who put together the 11 booths at the Global Showcase: 

India: Disha Bajaj, Bindu Bali, and Sheena Velamoor
Japan: Tomoko Hoshi, Shinobu Asai, and Yukie Goto-Caillieret
Quebec: Nathalie Gaudreault and Zelie Dancause
Hungary: Candi McCoy and Kristina Tarczy-Hornoch
Iran: Zahra Kebritchi 
West Africa: Thierno Diop
Peru: Claudia Moreno, Patricia DiChristo, and Lucy Garate-Barros
France: Maia Nicolas and Aurelie McKinstry
USA: Karen Lambert and Jenn Huff-Facq
Christmas: Shari Damphousse
Hanukkah: Evan Oshan and Allen Geltzer

 
Click here to see photos! 





Thanks to our photographers, Donatella Lombardini-Jolin (Santa) and Alice Derieux Chagnard (Anna). Thanks also to our Santa, Dewey Blocker, and Anna, Lucy Winn. 





Videos: 
Kaze-daiko Taiko Drummers 
Taiko are a broad range of Japanese percussion instruments. Taiko performance consists of many components in technical rhythm, form, stick grip, clothing, and the particular instrumentation.

Marinera Nortena (Peruvian folk dance) 
Marinera is a coastal dance of Peru. Marinera is a graceful and romantic couple's dance that uses handkerchiefs as props. The dance is an elegant and stylized reenactment of a courtship, and it shows a blend of the different cultures of Peru. The dance itself has gained a lot of recognition and is one of the most popular traditional dances of Peru. Performed by: Students of Sonia Porras' Academy of Peruvian Folk Dances - Sofia Barros (FASPS student), Ariana Acosta, Shaya Victorio, and Ilika Victorio.

Indian Garba Dance
Garba is a form of dance that originated in the state of Gujarat in India. The name is derived from the Sanskrit term Garbha ("womb") and Deep ("a small earthenware lamp"). Many traditional garbas are performed around a centrally lit lamp or a picture or statue of the Goddess Shakti. Performed by Disha Bajaj, Bindu Bali, and Sheena Velamoor. 

Musica Negra (Afro-Peruvian dance)
La "Musica Negra" was first developed by black slaves from West Africa in South America, and especially in Peru.  It is now considered part of the Peruvian "Musica Criolla" (Peruvian folklore).
FASPS parents Patricia Di Cristo, Lucy Garate, and Claudia Moreno performed the Festejo dance to the song Inga. 

West African Drumming and Balafon
Merci to Naby Camara, Thierno Diop, and Brendan Ndze for a rousing performance! 

Persian Dance Along
A Persian dance was led by FASPS teacher, Zahra Kebritchi, to the music of Bijan Mortazavi, who is arguably the best violinist in the world.  


Student Talent Show:

Participants: 
Trevor Carson
Hypatia Aldrich
Meryl Padua, Eleonara Tartaglione, Viviana Corsini, and Leila Vierra
Emiline Beliard
Caitlyn Miller, Jade Westdal-Bunio, and Coco DeRham
William Pantel
Gabriel Hoffman
Milica Karakusevic Vitman
Sasha Nathani-Sim
Jan Espelien
Andrei Espelien
Asha Budge
Milo Recchi
Carla Mory
Charlotte Dispensa
Victor Lassalle
Lauren Lambert, Simone Clark, and Bella Morisseau
Anderson Bull
Solena Metiva, Sophie Neyrand, Mayah Park, and Carla Mory
Sasha Shor
Alice Carbou and Kyana Chapellon
Volunteers

Thanks to all our event volunteers: Rebecca Diop, Catherine Ries, Anu Sharma, Alienor Battel, Aidan Grainer, Jesse Grainer, Stephanie Westdal, Liza Neyrand, Maral Kebritchi, Paul Derieux Chagnard, Anouk Orillon, Coco Lambert, Lauren Lambert, Olivia Facq, Sebastien Facq, Julie Thuau, Carla Mory, Mayah Park, Corrado Masciocchi, Sophie Neyrand, Massimo Corsini, Tess Faury, Anne-Claire Mousseau, Elena Zytnicki. Our apologies if we missed any volunteers!