Taline and Friends

Taline and Friends is an American-Armenian musical group. They are best known for playing music for children. The members if the group are Taline Bessos, Tzagratzoo, Napik, and Peeso. Alex Bessos is the songwriter and producer of the group. The most popular of the group's songs include “Im Kntag”, “Tzkneeg” and “Peesoee Bar”.[1]

Taline and Friends
Taline.jpg
Background information
OriginGlendale, California
GenresChildren's music
Years active1993 - present
Members
  • Taline Bessos
  • Tzagratzoo
  • Napik
  • Peeso

The group has played a major role in developing Armenian language skills for children worldwide since the early 1990s.[1]

History

The founders and creators of the group are Taline and Alex Bessos. They are based in Glendale, California. Taline was born in Beirut.[2] She moved to the United States at the age of 15.[3] Taline has a BA degree in Early Childhood Education.[4] In 1993. she and Alex rented a small studio. They released their first CD called Hink Pokrig Tatigner. It included traditional Armenian songs from their childhood and original songs. In 1994, they released their second CD. The group started to gain more popularity when they made their first DVD Let’s Sing & Dance. They had their first concert in 2003 in New Jersey. The group had their first Armenian Children’s Christmas Concert in 2003 at the Alex Theatre in Glendale.[5] Their first international performance was in 2004 in Canada. Since then, they have have performed in many countries. These include Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Cyprus, France, Kuwait, Lebanon, the United Kingdom, Syria, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and Uruguay.[6]

The group has made 5 DVDs and 11 CDs. These include lessons on different topics, including animals, the Armenian alphabet, and being Armenian.[7] Their YouTube videos get over 20,000 views each day.[6]

Taline was recognized among the 30 exceptional businesswomen at the 13th Annual Women in Business Legislative Update and Awards luncheon in 2012.[8]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Taline and Friends at St. Sarkis". ST. SARKIS ARMENIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH.
  2. The entertainer, By Joyce Rudolph, Los Angeles Times, Jan. 6, 2007
  3. "Taline Music - Armenian Children's Music - Little Armenia". www.littlearmenia.com. Archived from the original on 2022-10-25. Retrieved 2023-01-18.
  4. "Taline … the guest in every Armenian home, Azad-Hye, 2007". Archived from the original on 2023-02-07. Retrieved 2023-01-18.
  5. "Taline Music Presents Taline, Friends & Santa Armenian Christmas Show".
  6. 6.0 6.1 "Taline & Friends – An Interview with Taline & Alex Bessos". September 30, 2014.
  7. The Armenian Reporter, May 5, 2007
  8. "Legislators to Honor 30 Outstanding Women in Business - Crescenta Valley Weekly".

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