For fast price quote contact Mikhail Smirnov at Barynya Entertainment

New York Balalaika Duo

New York Balalaika Duo is based in New York City. The Duo is available for all kind of events in NYC, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and other states. Both musicians - balalaika player Lev Zabeginsky and Mikhail Smirnov (vocals, garmoshka, guitar) - are members of Russian dance and music ensemble Barynya.
For fast price quote contact Mikhail Smirnov at Barynya Entertainment

Mexico, Chihuahua, 5th International Festival-2009.

Lev Zabeginsky and Mikhail Smirnov during the 5th International Festival in Mexico, Chihuahua, ten days tour with Russian folk dance and music ensemble Barynya).

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Chihuahua, Mexico 2009 tour photos
View all photos from 2009 tour in Chihuahua, Mexico

PHOTOS

New York Balalaika Duo: Lev Zabeginsky, Mikhail Smirnov

New York Balalaika Duo: Lev Zabeginsky and Mikhail Smirnov

New York Balalaika Duo Lev Zabeginsky and Mikhail Smirnov
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Balalaika virtuoso Lev Zabeginsky

Lev Zabeginsky from New York City is composer, arranger, virtuoso balalaika and domra player. Lev was born in Moscow, Russia. He started to play Russian folk music at the age of six. In 1952 he had played with The Youth Folk Quartet in Kremlin at the Joseph Stalin's birthday concert. He graduated from the St.Petersburg Conservatory in 1970 with master degree in composition.

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Mikhail Smirnov - garmoshka, guitar, vocals

Mikhail Smirnov is a singer, garmoshka, gusli, balalaika contrabass and guitar player from Fort Lee, New Jersey. Mikhail was born in Moscow, Russia. His specialty is traditional Russian folk music and songs from various regions of Russia. As a student of Moscow State University of Culture and Arts Mikhail went to many different parts of Russia such as Tver, Smolensk and Belgorod to collect Russian folklore. In folklore expeditions he had recorded over 100 hours of Russian folk songs.

Mikhail recieved his Master's degree from the Moscow State University of Culture and Arts. As a child, he was a member of the famous "Moscow Boys Chorus" - one of the most prestigious all-male choirs in Russia. Before coming to the United States in 1991, Mikhail was a soloist in a several Russian folk dance and music groups including the Moscow State Center for Russian song, "Russkaya Pesnya", under the direction of Nadezhda Babkina.

"Superstars of Dance", NBC, January 4 - January 26, 2009

Mikhail Smirnov with producer and judges of the show Superstars of Dance, NBC, 2009

In January 2009 Mikhail Smirnov was featured on national TV, NBC's "SUPERSTARS OF DANCE" - breathtaking international dance competition led by executive producers Nigel Lythgoe and Simon Fuller (American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance). This prestigious dance competition hosted by Michael Flatley ("Lord of the Dance") and Susie Castillo, a former Miss USA. Mikhail Smirnov was one of eight judges to decide which country will win. Of course, he can was not able to be judging Team of Russia... The show premiered on NBC network on January 4th and aired through January 26th, 2009.

Lev Zabeginsky and Mikhail Smirnov videos (with Barynya ensemble)

"Two Step Dance" (balalaika solo starts at 42 seconds)

"Volga Boatmen" (with singer Sasha Menshikov)

"Korobushka" (Mikhail Smirnov)

"Two guitars" (with dancers)

Mikhail Gorbachev's Liberty Medal Award Gala
National Constitution Center, Philadelphia, PA
September 2008

Lev Zabeginsky, Mikhail Smirnov and other ensemble Barynya musicians and dancers performed during diner Gala after the Liberty Medal 2008 was presented to former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev by President George H.W. Bush. Official ceremony took place on Thursday, September 18, 2008 at The National Constitution Center located at 525 Arch St. on Philadelphia’s Independence Mall. Dancers and musicians of Barynya ensemble entertained a black-tie dinner for more than 1,000 guests. Audience included President George H. W. Bush, Tom Brokaw, Dikembe Mutumbo and Van Cliburn. Barynya performed both concert music and dance throughout the evening. President's Bush and Gorbachev were thrilled. World known concert pianist Van Cliburn shake hands with the balalaika virtuoso Lev Zabeginsky.

Barynya at Mikhail Gorbachev's Liberty Medal Award Gala 2008

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Russian folk music and dance concert in Brooklyn, New York
November 22, 2008

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BARYNYA MIDWEST TOUR 2008.
September 23 - November 10, 2008

Lev and Mikhail joined ensemble Barynya for Midwest Tour 2008 started on September 25 in Roseau, MN. Last concert - Monday, November 10, 2008 in Hannibal, MO. 35 full lenght concerts and 3 matinees.

Barynya midwest tour 2008 album 01

Barynya midwest tour 2008 album 02

Concert at Windsor Terrace Public Library, May 2008.

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Russian Father Frosts and Snow Maidens.
TV Chanel "RUSSIA TODAY", New York City
December 2007.

New York Balalaika Duo: Lev Zabeginsky, Mikhail Smirnov

In the end of 2007 Lev Zabeginsky, Mikhail Smirnov and other members of ensemble Barynya were leading a group of Russian Father Frosts and Snow Maidens (Ded Moroz and Snegurochka) to greet New Yorkers and promote new TV Channel "RUSSIA TODAY".
Barynya Russian Father Frosts and Snow Maidens, New York City, December 2007
view all photos by Dalia Bagdonaite

Balalaika players, soloists and ensembles

Russian music duo from Boston - Elina Karokhina (balalaika), Boris Fogel (piano). video

Flying Balalaika Brothers - Russian music band from Austin, Texas. video

Russian Balalaika Duo - program of Russian, Ukrainian, Gypsy, Cossack, Klezmer, and international music and songs performed on balalaika, garmoshka and guitars. New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. video

Lina Karokhina - balalaika virtuoso from Boston, MA. video

Los Angeles Balalaikas - Russian traditional music and song ensemble from Los Angeles, California.

Alex Siniavski - balalaika virtuoso and Gypsy guitar virtuoso from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. video

New York Balalaika Orchestra performs at Russian Orthodox weddings, fundraising balls, large scale social events, Doctor Zhivago's style corporate parties. video

Chicago Cossacks - Russian music and song ensemble from Illinois. video

Brooklyn Balalaikas - Russian Folk Music Trio from Brooklyn, New York. Artistic Director Leonid Bruk. video

RUSSIAN BAND - Gypsy, Ukrainian, Russian music and songs. Instruments: balalaika, domra, drums, garmoshka (Russian button accordion), Gypsy guitar, classic guitar, contrabass balalaika, cello and vocals. video

Balalaika Russian Dance and Music Trio - Russian Cossack dance, balalaika and garmoshka music from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Balalaika prime Simon Lemberskiy from Brooklyn, New York.

Balalaika virtuoso Lev Zabeginsky from New York City.

Balalaika Contrabass player Leonid Bruk from Brooklyn, New York.

New York Balalaika Duo - balalaika player Lev Zabeginsky and Mikhail Smirnov (vocals, garmoshka, guitar).

Kalinka Duo - Sergey Vashchenko-balalaika, Vladimir Kaliazine-bayan from Austin, TX.

Balalaika virtuoso Sergey Vashchenko from Austin, TX.

Sasha (Alexander) Ressetar - Balalaika virtuoso from Harrisburg, PA.

Serge Rogozin - balalaika player, historian, writer from New York. video

Barynya - traditional Russian music and dance ensemble from New York. Artistic director Mikhail Smirnov. video

Moscow Gypsy Army - Gypsy Roma dance, music, song ensemble New York City. video

San Fransisco Balalaikas - Russian music ensemble from California. video

more Russian music ensembles, trio, and duets

advertise on Barynya site

Balalaika alto for sale

Russian Christmas Music Balalaika Album

barynya album
Balalaika virtuoso Alex Siniavski and Mikhail Smirnov (guitar)

Russian balalaika polyphonic ringtones free download

Russian folk music free mp3 download

Authentic Russian instruments for sale

Bibs Ekkel: Russian Gypsy Music Balalaika album

WWW.BARYNYA.COM

Barynya is the best Russian dance and music ensemble outside of Russia (New York, USA). Russian, Gypsy, Cossack, Ukrasinian dances, songs and music with live accompaniment of balalaika, domra, garmoshka, Gypsy guitar, bayan and contrabass balalaika