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. His main line of training was in classical ballet, but he also had extensive training in Modern and Jazz dance, as well as Musical Theater. He attended the University of Utah on scholarship and graduated with a BFA in ballet performing and teaching. At this time, he also became a member of Utah Ballet. While he was with Utah Ballet, he performed and choreographed in many of the department’s seasonal shows while dancing leading roles, 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 Festival Ballet Providence. From 2010 -2012, he was the company’s Director of Educational Outreach as well. Mr. Harootian captivated Festival Ballet Providence’s Up Close on Hope performance series audiences annually with his choreography and has 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 the distinguished Alumni & Friends of the Worcester Public Schools Achievement Award in 2014 and the Career Transition for Dancers Graduate Scholarship in 2018. Mr. Harootian was an adjunct professor at Dean College and Salve Regina University and taught and choreographed at Island Moving Company, Hanover Theater and Performing Arts Conservatory, and the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, among others.  Mr. Harootian moved to Los Angeles with his wife in July 2017 and is currently studying to obtain an MFA degree in Dance through Montclair State University’s low-residency program. Since moving to L.A., Mr. Harootian was Artist in Residence at Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA) and teaches at California School of the Arts-San Gabriel Valley (CSArts-SGV), Elite Dance Academy of Orange County, Pasadena Dance Theater, Elements Dance Space and is an adjunct professor at Chapman University.