Tell us about a time you faced a challenge or a setback. What did you learn from this experience and how has it affected the way you view future obstacles?

1. Here is a story about a time I faced numerous
setbacks and obstacles, aka my dancing career.
Marina Kochinyan

2. I was barely five years old when my mother assigned me to dance classes. I hardly differed left or right, and I always
checked if I am using the right leg while dancing by the position of my heart.
At that point, I did not even suspect that our training room will become my classroom of life lessons. During the 11
years that I was a dancer in the “Hay Astgher” dancing ensemble I gathered loads of colorful experiences that helped
me to achieve my present stage.
By the way, here I am :)

3. Here is my story of failures and later wins.
My early dancing career is not fascinating. I was never selected from our 200 dancers to dance at the concerts. Even if I was
chosen, I was dancing in small events in the back row. I was hardly noticeable. For several years I was not even trying to get my
teachers’ attention because I thought that they are not going to choose me anyway. At the same time, they were not taking me
to concerts because I was not trying my best. In other words, it was a closed circle.

4. One day, after a small local concert, my mother told me, “As long as you are dancing with that indifferent face,
you are not going to shine in the first row under the spotlights.” I started thinking about what she said. I
understood that not only my face during the concert was indifferent but also my attitude towards dancing. I
have always wanted to be in the first row but never did anything to achieve that. I was sitting and waiting for
my glowing hour. But the truth is that I must train my body as much as I can and dance as passionate as I can to
be noticed. So, to become a good dancer, I should learn to work hard.

5. Starting from that point, I started working more than teachers told us. I was coming to our training room four
times a week while others were coming only two times. I stayed after the class with my teachers to improve my
performance. I was working out at home to elevate my physical condition. In the end, all the work I had done
gave its results.

6. For the first time, I was one of the 14 people selected to represent Armenia in Poland. That was the most important concert in the history
of our dancing assemble, and I felt honored to participate in it. Then, my teachers selected me to dance at a charity concert “Gift a life” for
children with cancer. That was one of the happiest days of my life. I helped many children in their struggle against disease because I got
over my weakness and became a better dancer.

7. Maybe I am not going to continue my dancing career, but I am sure that dancing shaped my personality. I became more
determined and hardworking. I understood how much time and effort it takes to reach success. I will never give up on
something I enjoy doing. In the end, my mistakes are the base of my future success!

8. Thank you!