Merced, CA. Russian, Ukrainian, Cossack, Gypsy, Jewish dancers. Balalaika, Garmoshka, Dance, Song and Music. Multicultural School Assembly in Merced County, California
Russian dance, song and music Barynya duo performed 45 min concerts in Merced, California. The show took place at the Franklin Elementary School (2736 Franklin Rd, Merced, CA 95348) on Wednesday, December 6, 2017, 4:30pm. Cast of performers included garmoshka and guitar player, MC-host and singer Mikhail Smirnov and Ukrainian-Cossack dancer Serhiy Tsyganok.
Franklin Elementary School, Merced, California click the image above to see full size high-resolution photo
The program of the assembly included
Russian traditional dance "Barynya",
Russian folk button accordion garmoshka (Russian: Ãàðìîøêà) introduction with traditional Russian song "Saturday Affair" ("Subboteya"),
introduction of the Russian traditional string instrument balalaika,
Cossack marching song and dance "Pri Luzhke",
Jewish Bottle dance from the "Fiddler Of The Roof",
Russian Roma (Romani) Gypsy song and dance "Dark Eyes" (Russian: Î÷è ÷¸ðíûå - Öûãàíñêèé),
Russian Tongue-Twisters Medley (Russian: "Ñêîðîãîâîðêè"),
Ukrainian folk song and dance "Pidmanula" - "You Tricked Me" ("Óêðàèíñêèé"),
Russian folk dance "Kalinka" (Russian: Êàëèíêà), and other selections.
Franklin Elementary School, Merced, California click the image above to see full size high-resolution photo
Artistic director/founder Mikhail Smirnov played the garmoshka, a Russian-style diatonic button accordion and guitar. In between numbers of the show Mikhail shared a little bit of the Russian language with the students. He taught them phrases such as "Thank You" (SPASEEBA), "Hello" (ZDRASTVUITE), "You're Welcome" (PAZHALUYSTA) and "Bye" (PAKA) as well as the alphabet and counting. He said each word in English and then slowly in Russian, allowing the children a moment to try the words themselves after each one. After the segment on words, the students attempted to chatter in Russian for a couple minutes, smiling and laughing about how they sounded. Almost in the end of the performance, Mikhail paused to share a couple of Russian tongue twisters, explaining each one in English first, and then saying them in Russian at top speed. With each one, the twisters got more complicated and lengthy. There was even a chance for a handful of students to get up on stage and try out moves of Russian dance BARYNYA.
Franklin Elementary School, Merced, California click the image above to see full size high-resolution photo
ABOUT PERFORMERS:
Dancer Serhiy Tsyganok was born in L'viv, Ukraine in 1982. He started dancing with kids' folk dance ensemble "Iskorka" under direction of his mother Liliya Yurievna Tsyganok.
In 1996 he started dancing with teens' traditional Ukrainian dancer troupe "Karpaty" under direction of Honored Artist of Ukraine Mihailo Vanivsky. From 1997 through 2002 he stadied dancing and choreography at the L'viv State College of The Culture and Arts. Graduated in 2002. At the same time as he was a student at the L'viv State College of The Culture and Arts he was dancing with Jewish Dance Ensemble "MAZAL TOV" and Polish Dance Troupe "L'vovyatsy". With "MAZAL TOV" and "L'VOVYATSY" groups Serhiy performed locally in Ukraine, and internationally. In 2003 he graduated with Diploma of completion special training in Polish Traditional dancing from Lyublin's University of Maria Skladovsky in Poland. In 2003 Serhiy joined dance troupe to work 18 months contract with the show Sharm L Sheikh in Egypt. In 2006-2012 he was performing with various dance projects in Turkey, Israel and Dubai. In 2013 he started working as a dancer on cruise ships all over the world. In the summer 2014 Serhiy made his home in the United States of America. He started working with various Ukrainian groups, dance and music ensemble Barynya, Moscow Gypsy Army, Can-Can Cabaret Dance Show, and others. Serhiy speaks Ukrainian, Russian, Polish, and English.
Franklin Elementary School, Merced, California click the image above to see full size high-resolution photo
Franklin Elementary School, Merced, California click the image above to see full size high-resolution photo
Singer, musician, garmoshka, and guitar player Mikhail Smirnov was born in Moscow, Russia. 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. In January 2009 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. The show premiered on NBC network.
“The group was excellent. They did some interaction with the students. Music was great!”
Mary Kay Hennessy, Principal @ St. Norbert School in Paoli, PA
“This group was great! The students were all engaged and really enjoyed the show. They arrived on time and were very professional.”
Liz Legere, PTO @ Cherry Brook Primary School in Canton, CT
“Very engaging and flexible with time because of our buses.”
Michele Rowland, Asst. Principal @ Rodgers Forge Elementary in Baltimore, MD
“Very entertaining. A nice mix of traditional Russian music and dance with colorful costumes/traditional dress. The students learned some basic Russian vocabulary words too.”
Heather Jeanne, Principal @ Enadia Technology Charter School in West Hills, CA
“Enjoyed the sharing of the Russian language.”
Eva Matthews, Principal @ Park View Elementary in Ripon, CA
“We enjoyed the program.”
Nancy Whitson, Head of School @ St Patricks Day School in Thousand Oaks, CA
“Our students enjoyed the rhythms and the energetic dancing. The performers were friendly and very talented.”
Mary Stadler, Counseling Director @ Stanbridge Academy in San Mateo, CA
“Wonderful – Great interaction with the kids”
Leana Wright, PTO @ Willow Creek Elementary in Tomball, TX
“We chose this program because we wanted to expose our students to the beautiful culture, music, dance, traditional costumes, language of Russia. The three performers did a wonderful job entertaining and engaging our students.”
Barbara LaCorte Principal @ Hope Elementary in Santa Barbara, CA
“The children were very enthusiastic about the show. They got exposure to a different culture through songs, dance, instruments, costumes and the language of Russia. There was also audience involvement.”
Myron Cohen, Teacher @ P. S. 276 in Brooklyn, NY
“Very entertaining! We enjoyed the show!”
Todd Anderson, Headmaster @ Wayne Country Day School in Goldsboro, NC
“Great program! Very enthusiastic and great for all ages.”
Ashley Wammack, ASB Director @ Jewell School in Seaside, OR
“Very entertaining. I would highly recommend.”
Dawn Roberts, Principal @ Southern Highlands Prep School in Las Vegas, NV
“Great assembly! Our school enjoyed the song, dance and introduction to language! Thanks for coming.”
Marilyn Dresser, Teacher @ Columbus Elementary in McMinnville, OR
“Present spoke quickly. One time presentation of Russian words would have been good to have repetition. Great show.”
Seth Ahiborn, Headmaster @ Henderson Intl. School in Henderson, NV
“Fantastic group. They were here early to set up. Great audience control and interation.”
Tracey Duncan, Teacher @ Coarsegold Elementary in Coarsegold, CA
Serhiy Tsyganok and MIkhail Smirnov performing Ukrainian folk song and dance "Pidmanula" (You Tricked Me)
Sixth Grade Academy, Lovington, New Mexico click images above to see full size high-resolution photos
Sixth Grade Academy, Lovington, New Mexico click the image above to see full size high-resolution photo
Serhiy Tsyganok performing Russian Cossack dance
Sixth Grade Academy, Lovington, New Mexico click images above to see full size high-resolution photos
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.
