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About Us The Kazakh Aul of the US was formed in late 2004 by Susan Saxon, a mother of a Kazakh-American daughter, and Zhanat Baidaralin, a famous Kazakh ballet master and choreographer. Shortly thereafter, a major turning point for the growing organization occurred when Leila Bassenova, a businessperson from Almaty, purchased and sent an authentic Kazakh yurt from Kazakhstan. This yurt has been the cornerstone for all Aul celebrations and events. The Kazakh Aul of the US is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization dependent upon donations and sponsorship from outside sources to fulfill its mission. All donations are tax deductible. The Kazakh Aul of the US is not an adoption, political, or religious organization, and does not discriminate on the basis on race, color, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, or other legally protected status in the admission, access, or operation of its programs, services, and activities.Our Strategic Objectives For over four years, the Kazakh Aul of the US has been actively promoting awareness of the proud and colorful history, culture, and arts of Kazakhstan through the creation of cultural programs and exchanges. Our programs have continued to evolve and expand to incorporate all aspects of Nomadic life among the people of Kazakhstan. Our successful inter-country exchanges have brought multi-talented bearers of tradition from Kazakhstan to create an atmosphere of authenticity in our programs, while simultaneously providing positive role models for the children who participate. We continue to expand our programs and exchanges with the aim of becoming a resource for Kazakh culture for people from all backgrounds and ages. What We Do The Kazakh Aul of the US organizes cultural and educational events, including:
The Aul’s most popular annual program – a week-long family camp designed for immersion in Kazakh culture. During a week-long stay at Zhailau, families participate with native Kazakhs to raise the Aul’s yurt, cook traditional meals, play Kazakh language games and sports, make traditional crafts, take dombra and dance lessons, attend lectures on Nomadic culture and history, and much more.
Nauryz is an ancient holiday that welcomes the spring equinox and is still widely celebrated today throughout Central Asia. In spring 2005, Nauryz Meyrami was the Kazakh Aul of the US’ first ever event, and since then, has become an annual tradition that brings together families of the Kazakh-American community in a festive celebration of Kazakh culture.
The Kazakh Aul of the US travels to cities around the United States to present and promote Kazakh culture, and to meet Kazakh-American families.
The Kazakh Aul of the US is eager to participate in events and cooperate with other organizations to promote Kazakh culture in the United States. Executive Staff Zhanat Baidaralin, Volunteer Executive Advisor, original co-founder, and former Artistic & Cultural Executive Director. Educated in Almaty and Moscow, Mr. Baidaralin brings more than 30 years experience from his native Kazakhstan as a producer, artistic director, choreographer, and ballet teacher in numerous realms that include theater, circus, and television. His broad experience also includes direction and production of traditional Kazakh festivals and dances in his native land. Mr. Baidaralin was the chief choreographer for Kazakhstan at the opening ceremony of the XX Olympic Games in Moscow in 1980, where he worked with more than 10,000 dancers and 20,000 sportsmen. In 1998, he was the chief ballet master for the official opening of the new capital city of Astana. Since moving to the U.S. in 2001, Mr. Baidaralin has worked as a ballet master, choreographer and ballet teacher for several ballet companies, including two seasons with The Dance Theater of Harlem. Susan Saxon, Volunteer Administrative Executive Director and original co-founder. Ms. Saxon is the proud mother of a child from Kazakhstan and thus has a deep personal interest and drive to develop links to Kazakh culture and to provide cultural education and support for children and their families. Prior to co-founding the Kazakh Aul of the US, Ms. Saxon was active in the adoption community and founded the Kazakhstan Adoptive Families’ Network of Massachusetts and Rhode Island (KAFN), an online social and support group for families who are pre- and post-adoptive for Kazakhstan. Ms. Saxon’s professional training was in psychology, and she currently works in the field of education where she conducts evaluation research. Her ongoing work with the Kazakh Aul of the US is a true labor of love, and her oversight of its administration has laid a foundation that will ensure the continuation of the Aul for many years to come. [email protected] Daniyar Baidaralin, Volunteer Cultural & Artistic Director and original co-founder. Educated in Kazakhstan, Mr. Baidaralin received training in the fine arts, illustration, sculpture, painting, history of art, and art criticism. His professional work encompasses a broad range of artistic areas, including interior, theatrical, and graphic design, photography, video, television, film, contemporary art, and other facets of the entertainment industry. Since moving to the US in 2003, Mr. Baidaralin has been successfully employed at a national interior design company, Morris Nathanson Design. The Kazakh Aul of the US is a sincere passion for Mr. Baidaralin, and his involvement has enabled him to combine his broad artistic skill set with knowledge of his beloved native country. In turn, Mr. Baidaralin has the pleasure of helping to bring the great American and Kazakh cultures closer together. [email protected] Kathleen Tackabury, Volunteer Fundraising Director. Ms. Tackabury is the mother of a beautiful daughter from Kazakhstan, and thus an active member of the Kazakh-American community. She is a professional jeweler and designer, with a background in Fine Arts and Interior design. Kathy owned and designed the award winning Ace of Cups Teashop and Bakery in Brookline, MA before she moved to her current home on Martha’s Vineyard. She’s been involved with the Aul in a leadership capacity since 2006, when she joined the board and assumed fundraising directorship. In this role, she actively seeks and innovates ways to assure the cultural and financial development of the Aul’s future. [email protected] Assylgul Baidaralina, Volunteer Cultural Liaison in Kazakhstan. With a background in architecture and the fine arts, Ms. Baidaralina serves as the Aul’s general representative in Kazakhstan. She organizes Kazakh Aul of the US operations in Almaty, including the delivery of humanitarian aid to orphanages, publicity, maintenance of databases on Kazakh culture, and identification and development of educational materials and professional and cultural contacts. In addition, Ms. Baidaralina is one of the Kazakh Aul of the US’ important cultural mentors for Kazakh children at Aul events, where she enriches children’s knowledge of their Kazakh heritage through the teaching of traditional Kazakh crafts and musical instruments. [email protected]
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