A native of Worcester, Massachusetts, Mr. Harootian received his early dance training at the Performing Arts School of Worcester and the Burncoat Senior High Dance Department. During that time, his main line of training was in classical ballet, but he also had extensive training in a variety of American modern and jazz dance styles, including musical theater. He attended the University of Utah on scholarship and graduated with a B.F.A. in ballet, emphasis in performing and teaching. At this time, he also became a member of Utah Ballet, where he performed and choreographed in many of the department’s seasonal shows, including the company’s tour to Taipei, Taiwan in 2001. Mr. Harootian also performed at Disney’s Epcot Center, the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics Medal Plaza and the Festival of White Nights in Pushkin, Russia. From 2004-2011 Mr. Harootian was a company dancer and choreographer for Ballet RI, (formerly known as Festival Ballet Providence) and from 2010 -2012, he also became the company’s Director of Educational Outreach. Mr. Harootian captivated audiences annually in Ballet RI’s Up Close on Hope performance series with his choreography and presented a number of notable premieres there.

Mr. Harootian was awarded the Fellowship Choreography Grant Award from the Rhode Island State Council of the Arts in 2007 and 2011. He also was awarded by the Worcester Educational Development Foundation the Distinguished Alumni & Friends of the Worcester Public Schools Achievement Award in 2014 and the Career Transition for Dancers Graduate Scholarship in 2018. In 2020, Mr. Harootian obtained an M.F.A. degree in Dance from Montclair State University, with a focus in creative practices. Mr. Harootian has taught and choreographed for many establishments throughout New England, Los Angeles, Orange County, and Hong Kong. Most notably with Ballet RI, Newport Contemporary Ballet, Hanover Theater and Performing Arts Conservatory, Chapman University, Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA), California School of the Arts-San Gabriel Valley (CSArts-SGV), Pasadena Dance Theater, Elite Dance Academy of Orange County, Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and Red Shoe Dance Company in Hong Kong. Currently, Mr. Harootian is an adjunct professor at Dean College and Salve Regina University and a faculty member at American Ballet Academy and New England Dance Academy.