El Monte, CA, Balalaika Duo, Russian dance, music, garmoshka, school performance

Russian dance and music balalaika duo {Elina Karokhina and Mikhail Smirnov} performed 45 min program for kids at the Rio Vista Elementary School, 4300 Esto Avenue, El Monte, CA 91371 on Tuesday, April 28th at 9:15am. The program of the performance included:
01. RUSSIAN DANCE “THE SNOWSTORM” - ÌÅÒÅËÈÖÀ
02. RUSSIAN BALALAIKA SOLO - ÊÀÌÀÐÈÍÑÊÀß
03. RUSSIAN GARMOSHKA SOLO – ÎÉ, ÌÎÐÎÇ!
04. JEWISH WEDDING DANCE – ÒÀÍÅÖ ÑÎ ÑÂÅ×ÊÎÉ
05. COSSACK MARCHING SONG - ÊÀÊ ÇÀ ÄÎÍÎÌ ÇÀ ÐÅÊÎÉ
06. RUSSIAN GYPSY SONG “DARK EYES” - Î×È ×ÅÐÍÛÅ
07. RUSSIAN BALALAIKA MUSIC MEDLEY - ÏÎÏÏÓÐÈ
08. RUSSIAN PERCUSSIAN ORCHESTRA - ÊÀÒÞØÀ
09. RUSSIAN DANCE LESSON ÓÐÎÊ ÒÀÍÖÀ
10. RUSSIAN TONGUE-TWISTERS - ÑÊÎÐÎÃÎÂÎÐÊÈ
11. UKRAINIAN SONG “YOU TRICKED ME” - ÏIÄÌÀÍÓËÀ
12. MONTI'S CHARDASH - ×ÀÐÄÀØ
13. RUSSIAN BEAR DANCE - ÌÅÄÂÅÄÜ.

VIDEO

23 min edited video from Rio Vista Elementary School

watch this video on www.youtube.com

40 min full video from Rio Vista Elementary School

watch this video on www.youtube.com

Russian Balalaika Duo is available for hire for the performing art centers, school assemblies, festivals, colleges, libraries, concert halls, restaurants, private and corporate events.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Email: msmirnov@yahoo.com / phone: (201) 981-2497.

PHOTOS

Rio Vista Elementary School, El Monte, CA, California

Rio Vista Elementary School, El Monte, CA, California

Rio Vista Elementary School, El Monte, CA, California

Balalaika virtuoso Elina Karokhina and Mikhail Smirnov
Balalaika Duo, Elina Karokhina, Mikhail Smirnov. Photo by Leonid Bruk
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Balalaika virtuoso Elina Karokhina and Mikhail Smirnov
Balalaika Duo, Elina Karokhina, Mikhail Smirnov.
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Balalaika virtuoso Elina Karokhina plays Russian folk song "Kamarinskaia"

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Russian Wrestling Dance

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Russian Khorovod Dance "Metelitsa" (The Snowstorm)

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Russian Gypsy Dance "Dve Gitary" (Two Guitars)

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Balalaika virtuoso Elina Karokhina and Mikhail Smirnov
Russian Balalaika Duo, Elina Karokhina, Mikhail Smirnov.
click the image above to see full size high resolution photo

Balalaika virtuoso Elina Karokhina and Mikhail Smirnov
Balalaika Duo, Elina Karokhina, Mikhail Smirnov.
click the image above to see full size high resolution photo

Balalaika virtuoso Elina Karokhina and Mikhail Smirnov
Balalaika Duo, Elina Karokhina, Mikhail Smirnov.
click the image above to see full size high resolution photo

Balalaika virtuoso Elina Karokhina and Mikhail Smirnov
Balalaika Duo, Elina Karokhina, Mikhail Smirnov.
click the image above to see full size high resolution photo

CONTACT INFORMATION

Email: msmirnov@yahoo.com / phone: (201) 981-2497.

Russian Balalaika dance and music duo provided over 1000 school assembly programs (5 min 30 sec video promo) in over 40 states. The program of the show consists of dancing, singing, and playing traditional Russian instruments: garmoshka-accordion, balalaika, vertushka, trechshotki in traditional costumes. Dance selections include Russian dance "Barynya", Siberian Khorovod dance "Metelitsa" (The Snowstorm), Gypsy Romani dance, "Nanaiskiy Wrestling dance", "Kalinka", and dance of "Russian Bear". Music repertoire includes Russian, Cossack, Gypsy traditional music and songs including "The Peddlers", Russian Tongue-Twisters, "Dark Eyes", "Katysha", "Moscow Nights", Monti's "Chardash", Dr. Zhivago's "Somewhere My Love", "Two Guitars". We conclude the presentation with the Russian folk dance workshop and an appearance of the dancing Russian Bear (huge costumed Character - Mascot).
 
During the show the Duo will have several costume changes (Siberian, Tsyganskiy Russian Gypsy, Ukrainian, Evreiskiy Russian Jewish, Russian Matryoshka, and Cossack). The program includes three interactions with the audience: Russian percussion band, Russian alphabet / language lesson, and Russian dance workshop. The program is interesting and educational for all type of audiences. All routines are short. There are numerous costume changes, dances, songs, folk instruments, tongue-twisters, and audience participation that make the show fun for all ages. The Duo will bring everything that needed for the performance including own sound system, laptop, and microphones.

About musician/singer Mikhail Smirnov:

Mikhail Smirnov, Artistic Director/Founder of Ensemble Barynya, was born in Moscow, Russia in 1966. He has been in the business of Russian folk dance and music for more than 25 years. Mikhail is an artistic director and founder of ensemble Barynya based in New York City, author of many articles about traditional Russian dance, music and instruments in English and Russian. Mikhail received 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. While studying in Moscow, Mikhail followed his passion for Russian folk culture by traveling to many different regions of Russia such as Tver, Smolensk, Belgorod, and Don River to collect Russian folklore at its source. He was surprised to find out that folk dances, songs, melodies, lyrics, and tunes change from village to village, even if those as close as a couple of miles apart. In these folklore expeditions, Misha recorded over 100 hours of Russian folk music and dances, performances on folk instruments. Later he has incorporated much of this original material into repertoire of his ensemble "Barynya" - the biggest (and many believe the best) Russian dance and music ensemble outside of Mother Russia. Mikhail is adept on a variety of Russian folk instruments including balalaika-contrabass, balalaika, and gusli. However, his favorite instrument remains the garmoshka, the small Russian folk button accordion used in Russian folk music and dancing. Mikhail Smirnov and dancers of ensemble Barynya were 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.

About balalaika virtuoso and dancer Elina Karokhina:

Balalaika virtuoso Elina Karokhina was born in Leningrad (now Saint_Petersburg), Russia. She is the daughter of the 2003 Pushkin Prize-winning author L'ev Fyodorovich Karokhin and Galina Savich. Lina (Elina L'vovna) began her formal training at the Mussorgsky Music College of St. Petersburg and continued her training at N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov Saint Petersburg State Conservatory, earning a degree as an Orchestra Soloist. She continued her training at the Conservatory, which included a brief residency in Germany. After, she returned to her native St. Petersburg and completed her education, earning a Doctor of Musical Art degree in the Balalaika. Following her graduation, she began working as a musician, both as a teacher and as a performer, teaching balalaika. Elina Karokhina (Russian: Ýëèíà Ëüâîâíà Êàðîõèíà) served in the Russian Army in the Military Ensemble in the Northwest Order of Red Stars. As a balalaika soloist Elina has toured all over the world. When she moved to the United States in 2009 she founded and performed with Boston Russian Music Duo. Currently she is a musicial director and soloist with the biggest professional Russian music, song and dance ensemble Barynya based in New York, USA.

November 5th, 2020. Virtual performances at the Evergreen Elementary School, San Jose, California

On Thursday, November 5th, 2020 dancers and musicians of Russian dance and music ensemble Barynya presented two virtual performances for the students of the Evergreen Elementary School, San Jose, California. Exact address of the school: 3010 Fowler Rd, San Jose, CA 95135. Forty five min program of each assembly included introduction to Russian language, culture, Russian, Cossack, Ukrainian, Jewish and Gypsy Roma traditional dancing, music, songs, and virtuoso performances on instruments including the balalaika, garmoshka (Russian folk button accordion) and balalaika contrabass. Cast of performers: dancer Konstantin Tulinov, Mikhail Smirnov (garmoshka, guitar, vocals), Elina Karokhina (balalaika), dancer Elena Notkina, dancer Alexander Rudoy, dancer Katsiaryna Mileuskaya, dancer Zheniya Berdzinishvili, dancer Vladimir Nikitin, dancer Sergey Tsyganok, dancer Veronika Hunko, dancer Valentina Kvasova, dancer Maryia Zhukovich, dancer Olga Chpitalnaia, dancer Anna Brovkina, dancer Katerina Brovkina, dancer Irina Kl, dancer Ilia Pankratov, dancer Danila Sherstobitov, and dancer Aliaksandr Anatska.

Russian dance, music, song ensemble Barynya, Artistic Director Mikhail Smirnov, 11-05-2020, Thursday, November 5th, 2020, Virtual performances, Evergreen Elementary School, San Jose, California
11-05-2020, Evergreen Elementary School, San Jose, California

CONTACT INFORMATION

Email: msmirnov@yahoo.com / phone: (201) 981-2497.

RELATED LINKS

Mikhail Smirnov, Elina Karokhina, and other performers of Barynya ensemble at the events in California: Burbank Russian restaurant in Los Angeles, Royal Palace Banquet Hall in Glendale, Magdalena Banquet Hall in San Francisco, San Francisco's St. Francis Yacht Club, Santa Monica's Shutters on the Beach, Rising Star Montessori School in Alameda, CA, Hathaway-Sycamore School, Altadena, CA (2013), Hathaway-Sycamore School, Altadena, CA (2017), Fox Elementary School, Belmont, CA, Russian Christmas Party, private house in Calabasas, CA, Camarillo High School, Ñamarillo, CA, Hidahl Elementary School in Ñeres, CA, Superior Elementary School, Chatsworth, CA, Sunset Elementary School, Coalinga, CA, Baywood Elementary School, Coarsegold, CA, Copperopolis Elementary School, Copperopolis, CA, Muir Middle School, Corcoran, CA, Mary Peacock Elementary School, and Pine Grove Elementary School, Crescent City, CA, Rio Vista Elementary School, El Monte, CA (2015), Rio Vista Elementary School, El Monte (March 2019), Farmersville Jr. High School, Farmersville, CA, Mountain View Elementary School, Fresno, CA, Georgetown Elementary School, Georgetown, CA, Simas Elementary School, Hanford, CA, Happy Camp Union Elementary School, Happy Camp, CA, Bret Harte Middle School, Hayward, CA, Jordan Winery, Sonoma County, Healdsburg, CA, Coyote Valley Elementary School, Hidden Valley Lake, CA, North Hillsborough Elementary School, Hillsborough, CA, Kenwood Elementary School, Kenwood, CA, Twelve Bridges Elementary School, Lincoln, CA, Foothill Intermediate School, Lomarica, CA, The Music Center, W.M. Keck Amphitheatre at Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles, CA, Roscomare Road Elementary School, Los Angeles, CA, South Bay Community Concert Association, Los Angeles, CA, Studio City's Carpenter Community Charter School, Los Angeles, CA, Los Gatos Meadows Community, Los Gatos, CA (2017), Los Gatos-2019, Baywood Elementary School, Los Osos, CA, Mira Costa High School Auditorium, Manhattan Beach, CA, Sierra Hills Elementary School, Meadow Vista, CA, Washington Elementary School, Mendota, CA, Franklin Elementary School, Merced, CA, Ramona Elementary School, Moreno Valley, CA, Village School, North Highlands, CA, Chavez Middle School, Oceanside, CA, Hueneme High School, Hollywood Beach Elementary School, Tower Club, Oxnard, CA, Hillside Education Center, Pasadena, CA, Gold Oak Elementary School, Placerville, CA, Richard Bard Elementary School, Port Hueneme, CA, Painted Rock Elementary School, Poway, CA, Palos Verdes Peninsula Montessori School, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, Park View Elementary School, Ripon, CA, Maidu Elementary School, Roseville, CA, DaVinci School, Sacramento, CA, Sisk Elementary School, Salida, CA, Los Paseos Elementary School, San Jose, CA, Madison Elementary School, San Leandro, CA, Stanbridge Academy, San Mateo, CA, Walker Elementary School, Santa Ana, CA, Hope Elementary School, Santa Barbara, CA, Austin Creek Elementary School, Santa Rosa, CA, Mary Seiad Elementary School, Seiad Valley, CA, Loma Elementary School, Spring Valley, CA, Dolores Huerta Elementary School, Stockton, CA, Byrd Middle School, Sun Valley, CA, Ellis Elementary School, Sunnyvale, CA, Barnett Elementary School, Temecula, CA, Los Cerritos Middle School, Thousand Oaks, CA (2013), St. Patrick's Day School, Thousand Oaks, CA (2017), Banta Elementary School, Tracy, CA, Turlock Junior High School, Turlock, CA, Grace Hudson Elementary School, Frank Zeek Elementary School, Ukiah, CA, Seven Hills School, Walnut Creek, CA, Enadia Technology Charter School, West Hills, CA, Cali Calmecac Language Academy, Windsor, CA, Jackson Street School, Yreka, CA, Tierra Buena Elementary School, Yuba City, CA

CONTACT INFORMATION

Email: msmirnov@yahoo.com / phone: (201) 981-2497.

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