Jerry Bakhchyan, Everyone’s Hero!
- By Edie, The Salsa FREAK

Jerry, Jerry… has come to save the day!!!  Jerry is a savior…. He’s there for you at the last minute, when a dance team member has an injury, he’s available.  When a teacher can’t make it, he’s right there.  When you’ve got a gig and need someone fast, he's just a phone call away. What normally would have taken months to master by a whole team, he can learn in about an hour. He will drop everything to substitute teach in a distant country with one day’s notice.  In LA, Jerry is quickly becoming not only one of the top dancers, but also one of LA’s top instructors.  Jerry is our “Hero!”  

The first time I met Jerry was a just few years ago at Rudolpho’s nightclub in Los Angeles, California.  All the girls were raving about this “new guy” in the scene and were urging me to check him out.  I was about ready to ask him to dance, when suddenly he came up to me, and asked “me” to dance!  “Of course!” I said with a smile, not knowing what to expect, I was just thrilled that he asked me!   

Jerry has had some ballroom training, but his style is definitely street.  He has a very strong and fast lead, very sharp and well refined.  It’s difficult to get off count with him.  He’s right there.  His techniques are flawless.  

He’s a pleasure to dance with , and of course a pleasure to work with.  When [a dancer] hurt is leg right before a performance, Jerry learned the entire routine in a matter of hours.  When Salomon Rivera fractured his rib one day before a scheduled trip to Houston for performances and workshops, Jerry saved the weekend by canceling everything to go.  When another dancer hurt his back just days before a major performance, again Jerry learned the entire routine, and performed it in front of hundreds of people flawlessly.  

Jerry has a knack for picking up steps, moves, and tricks with ease.  He’s a great partner and dance team member.  He remembers routines even under the tremendous pressure  performing or competing in front of thousands.  Dancing with him is both a thrill and comforting at the same time.  He is very forgiving and can quickly accommodate any screw up or timing issue by the follower.  He’s also a pleasure to lead, as other instructors (as well as myself) will lead him to figure out certain moves on the dance floor.  It’s very difficult for a man to be the follower, but Jerry seems to have mastered that as well.  

Born in Armenia, Jerry came to the United States with his Armenian parents in 1987.  It took eight years of applying for legal residency.   Of course, like anything else he picks up, taking the test to become a US citizen was easy.  He attended high school here I the United States  

Jerry has been dancing since the age of 18.  He danced the Armenian traditional dances since he was ten year old.  He started dancing Salsa before he joined Arthur Murray dance studios to learn all the dances. 

His cousin took him to his first Salsa club called the Riviera nightclub in Eagle Rock near Pasadena.  

“I started dressing up nicer, when I went out.  I never took a lesson.  I just watched and picked up the moves as I saw them.  I used to take girls that did not know how to dance at all, and pretend that I knew how to dance, and developed my lead that way.  I used to practice my turns on the carpet at my house.  I used to fall all the time!  As for partnering, I always used to experiment with the girls at the clubs.  My desire to learn was so strong, that I really didn't think about rejection, or the fear of women thinking that i wasn't a good dancer. I just didn't think about it.  I didn't let those types of thoughts control what I set my mind to do.  "

After about a year of dancing at the clubs, he looked in the paper to see if there were any dance schools who needed trainers.  He went the Arthur Murray studios to see what level he was. ”I wasn't planning on auditioning for anything, so when I started dancing with the instructor, the owner came up to me, and immediately asked me if I wanted to be an instructor.  I accepted the offer, and stayed for eight months.  I was really strong in the Latin dances.  They always gave me the Latin group classes and Latin privates.  I had a lot more passion and desire for the Latin dances.  However, after eight months, I decided I wanted to continue with Salsa, because that was my true passion.”  

Jerry is also a member of the World Famous Salsa Brava dance company in Los Angeles.  “In 1998, Joby had danced with me a few times at the clubs.  She asked for my phone number.  Luis called me, and asked if I wanted to join their newly formed team called Salsa Brava.  My first practice, I was trying to figure out who was who. There were some new faces, some that I knew.  It was very exciting for me.”  

Ladies and Gentlemen, Introducing Mr, “Save the Day” Jerry Bakhchyan!

Who has been your biggest inspiration? 

Watching the International Ballroom Championships.  Watching how incredible they were.  I wanted to do the same thing; not necessarily with Ballroom, but with general dancing.  

Did you have any mentors that helped you in your progress?

Not any one in particular.  

You speak five different languages; Russian, Armenian, Turkish, Spanish, and English.  How did you learn them all?

Family, school, and friends.  

What is your most fluent language?

Armenian and English.   I can write better in English than Armenian, but verbally, I speak better Armenian than English.  

Who do you admire most in the Salsa world?

Johnny Vazquez.  I admire how fast he grew.  I remember where he was, and where he is now.  He's incredible.  A very hard worker as well.  

What are your plans for the future?  How do you plan on developing yourself as a dancer?

I would like to start choreographing, and one day own my own studio.  I want to continue to compete and eventually compete at a World-Class level, both in Salsa and in Ballroom as well.  I'd like a few more titles under my belt.  

Where in the world have you traveled to perform and teach Salsa?

I've been to France, England, Italy, Puerto Rico, Lebanon, Washington DC, Miami, Pennsylvania, Las Vegas, Texas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, the Island of Curacao, and New York.

Where was your favorite place, and why?

Lebanon.  The people and country were beautiful.  My mother was born in Lebanon.  I had family there.  I made a lot of new friends.  It was more of a social atmosphere rather than a business atmosphere.  The dance company I was with was fantastic.  I worked with Liz Watts, Francisco Vazquez and many members of his team.  We were treated like Royalty over there.  It was incredible.  

What other types of gigs have you done that you particularly enjoyed?

I performed in a National Commercial with Chevrolet, danced in Enrique Eglasias music video, performed on stage with Santana, I was a principal dancer in the movie "Blow" with Johnny Depp, I was in "Looking for Lola" , choreographed and danced with various artists such as Jo Jo from the Middle East.  I also danced in Sabado Gigante, the Rosanne Show, and the true story movie of Fidel Castro, called "Little Assassin".  I’m currently on a semi-world tour with Edie, The Salsa FREAK – whenever she’s in a crunch and needs me!  Right now I’m enjoying the sandy beaches on Curacao Island teaching, giving workshops, and performing with her.  

If you had to live your life all over again, would you have done anything differently?

No. 

If you had the opportunity to sit yourself down, and have a conversation with yourself, what type of advice would you give Jerry Bakhchyan?

I would tell him to continue listening to your inner voice, and go where your heart takes you.  Believe that anything that your mind can think, it's possible to accomplish, related to dance and any other dreams in your life. There are two different things:  There is a difference between dreaming and reality.  Instead of just dreaming about it, you've got to get up and do it.  I would tell him to continue motivating myself and staying positive.