Norwich, Connecticut. School assembly at the Kelly Middle School. Russian balalaika dance and music duo

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Russian Balalaika song, dance and music Duo (Elina Karokhina, Mikhail Smirnov) performed 45 min concert for students and teachers at the Kelly Middle School, 25 Mahan Drive, Norwich, CT 06360 on Thursday, July 14, 2016. School assembly performance started at 2pm.  The Balalaika Duo performed following dances and songs: Siberian Nanai wrestling dance "Нанаец", Russian folk button accordion "Гармошка" introduction with the song "Kalinka", The Snowstorm, Russian folk dance ("Метелица"), Kamarinskaiya, Russian folk instrument balalaika introduction ("Камаринская"), Russian Tongue Twisters Medley ("Скороговорки"), Jewish wedding dance "Свечки", Russian Percussian Orchestra interactive game "Трещётки", Russian Romani Roma Gypsy song and dance ("Цыганский"), Russian folk dance lesson ("Урок танца"), Ukrainian folk song and dance ("Украинский"), instrumental solo "Чардаш", and Russian Bear dance "Медведь".
 
ABOUT PERFORMERS:
 
About Elina Karokhina:
Elina Karokhina was born in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg), Russia. She 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 served in the Russian Army in the Military Ensemble in the Northwest Order of Red Stars. She is a winner of International Music Competition in Cherepovets and a Holder of the First Place in Troyanovsky's Competition for musicians performing of traditional instruments in St. Petersburg, Russia. As a balalaika soloist Elina has toured all over the world. She was a soloist of State Concert Russian Orchestra of Saint Petersburg under direction of Honored Performer of Russia Vladimir Popov (Russian: Государственный Русский концертный оркестр Санкт-Петербурга, Художественный руководитель и главный дирижер – Заслуженный деятель искусств России ВЛАДИМИР ПОПОВ.) When she moved to the United States in 2009 she was hired as a musicial director and soloist with the biggest professional Russian music, song and dance ensemble Barynya (New York). In January 2015 Elina Karokhina was selected to perform the balalaika part with Mariinsky Theatre directed by world-famous conductor Valery Gergiev in Rodion Shchedrin's opera "The Enchanted Wanderer" at the Howard Gilman Opera House in Brooklyn, New York. In May 2016 she was hired to play several concerts at the Carnegie Hall in New York City with symphony orchestra, choir, and opera soloists as a soloist of "The Orchestra Rocks" production.

Elina Karokhina, Mikhail Smirnov. Photo by Leonid Bruk
Russian Balalaika Duo: Mikhail Smirnov (garmoshka, guitar, vocals) and Elina Karokhina (balalaika virtuoso, dancer). Photo by Leonid Bruk.

About Mikhail Smirnov:
Mikhail Smirnov 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. 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.

CONTACT INFORMATION - Email: msmirnov@yahoo.com / Phone: (201) 981-2497

PHOTOS

Elina Karokhina
Elina Karokhina

Mikhail Smirnov
Mikhail Smirnov

VIDEOS


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Jewish wedding dance

watch this video on www.youtube.com

CONTACT INFORMATION - Email: msmirnov@yahoo.com / Phone: (201) 981-2497

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Concert at the Tokeneke School in Darien, Connecticut, March 6th, 2018

Russian dance, song, and music ensemble Barynya led by Russian folk accordion garmoshka player and singer Mikhail Smirnov with Russian Gypsy singer Vasiliy Romani and Ukrainian Cossack dancer Serhiy Tsyganok provided two 45 min performances of Russian, Cossack, Ukrainian, Russian Gypsy and Jewish songs, music, and dances on Tuesday, March 6th, 2018, 8:45 and 9:45am at the Tokeneke School, 7 Old Farm Rd, Darien, CT 06820. Program of performance included Russian folk song with garmoshka "Subboteya" (Russian: Субботея), Russian folk dance Barynya, Russian song Katyusha, Cossack dance, solo on Russian seven string guitar by Vasily "Vengerka" (Венгерка), Jewish Bottle dance, dance of Russian Bear (Танец медведя), Russian song "My darling" (Живёт моя отрада в высоком терему), Ukrainian folk song and dance Pidmanoola, Russian Tongue-Twisters Medley (Скороговорки), Russian Alphabet Lesson, Russian folk song "Korobushka" with the percussian orchestra consisted of students, Russian folk dance lesson, Russian folk dance Kalinka.

Tokeneke School, 7 Old Farm Rd, Darien, CT 06820, Vasiliy Romani, Mikhail Smirnov, Serhiy Tsyganok
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Haynes Elementary School, Niantic, CT, February 26, 2018

Russian traditional dance, song, and music trio provided 45 min performance of Russian, Cossack, Ukrainian, Russian Gypsy and Jewish dances, songs, and music on Tuesday, February 27, 2018 at the Haynes Elementary School in Connecticut. Cast od performers: Mikhail Smirnov, Vasiliy Romani, and Ukrainian Cossack dancer Serhiy Tsyganok.

Mikhail Smirnov, Vasiliy Romani, Serhiy Tsyganok, Haynes Elementary School, Niantic, Connecticut
Haynes Elementary School, Niantic, Connecticut

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CONTACT INFORMATION - Email: msmirnov@yahoo.com / Phone: (201) 981-2497

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