Aram Manukyan began his ballet training at Armenian Choreography Academy where he studied the Vaganova method under Rafael Avnikian and Maxim Martirosian. He finished his training with a full scholarship at the Russian University of Theatre Arts.
Mr. Manukyan returned to Armenia and danced with Armenian National Ballet before taking a soloist position with Ukrainian State Opera Ballet Theatre. Mr. Manukyan would later dance principal and soloist roles with companies in Annapolis, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, and Sarasota.
Mr. Manukyan then became Artistic Director of the BGLV/Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. From there, Murray Kilgour invited him to Alberta as a ballet and character dance teacher. It was at Alberta Ballet School where he took up the Cecchetti method under Nancy Kilgour and pas de deux with Murray Kilgour.
With the launch of the Alberta Ballet II, a pre-professional program for youth dancers, in July 2014, Mr. Manukyan was appointed the program’s Director. A jury member for many International Ballet Competitions, Mr. Manukyan is now Artistic Coordinator and Director of the Alberta Ballet Trainee Program at Alberta Ballet School.