Members of Russian Balalaika Duo Mikhail Smirnov and Elina Karokhina performed 3 Multicultural School Assembly concerts in Topsfield, MA on Thursday, December 3rd, 2015. First two performances took place in the morning at the Steward Elementary School, 261 Perkins Row, Topsfield, MA 01983. The third show in the afternoon was at the Proctor School. Exact address 60 Main Street, Topsfield, MA 01983.
Program of performance:
Program of performances included Siberian Nanai wrestling dance,
Russian folk song and dance "METELITSA" (МЕТЕЛИЦА, The Snowstorm),
Russian folk accordion GARMOSHKA introduction with popular folk song "KALINKA
" (Калинка-Малинка),
introduction of Russian folk instrument BALALAIKA
with performance of Russian folk dance "SVETIT MYESYATS"
(The Moon Is Shining Brightly),
SKOROGOVORKEE - Russin tongue-twisters' Medley (СКОРОГОВОРКИ),
ALFAVEET - Russian Alphabet lesson (СЛОВА),
EVREISKIY TANETS - Russian Jewish wedding dance with Candle (СВЕЧКА),
Instrumental Medley: "HAVA NAGILA", "7:40", "VALENKI",
Russian Gypsy Roma song and dance "DARK EYES" (ЦЫГАНСКИЙ),
ORKESTR RUSSKIKH NARODNYKH INSTRUMENTOV - Russian percussian Band interactive game with students (ОРКЕСТР),
BARYNYA
, Russian folk dance lesson and workshop for all students (УРОК ТАНЦА),
Balalaika instrumental solo CHARDASH (ЧАРДАШ), and dance of Russian Bear.
About Mikhail Smirnov, singer, garmoshka player:
Mikhail Smirnov was born in Moscow, Russia. 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, ensemble "Moskoviya" under the direction of Valeriy Kuz'mich Nesterov. 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.
About Elina Karokhina, the balalaika virtuoso, singer, dancer:
Balalaika virtuoso 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 St. Petersburg State 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. As a balalaika soloist Elina has toured all over the world. 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".
08-30-2024, Cafe St. Petersburg, Newton, Massachusetts
Saturday, August 30th, 2024, 80th birthday party at the Cafe St. Petersburg in Newton, Massachusetts. Exact address of the venue: 57 Union St, Ste 1, Newton, MA 02459, www.cafestpetersburg.com. 45 min program included "Марджанджа", "Бричка", "Шатрица", "Дорогой длинною", "К нам приехал наш любимый", "Очи чёрные", "Счастье вдруг", "Чардаш", "Money", "Путь бегут неуклюже", "Мохнатый шмель", and "Two Guitars"
July 30th, 2020, virtual performance for the Stoughton Public Library, Stoughton, Massachusetts
On Thursday, July 30th, 2020 starting at 2pm ensemble Barynya presented one hour concert for the Stoughton Public Library, 84 Park St., Stoughton, MA 02072. Phone: 781-344-2711. The program was titled "BARYNYA. From Russia With Love. Music, songs, and dances of old Russia".
