Russian folk dance and music ensemble Barynya 2005 Russian Nobility Ball

May 2005
Ensemble Barynya was invited to perform at the Annual Russian Nobility Ball. The show took place in Grand Ball Room of "The Pierre Hotel", Fifth Avenue at 61st Street, New York City, USA on Friday, May 13th, 2005. Everybody loved professionalism of Barynya dancers and musicians. There was a piece in the International Russian TV news RTVI about the Ball that you can download below. When Russian Nobility of the United States wants to party "Russian Way", they hire ensemble Barynya to dance and sing for them!

videoclips from The Russian Nobility Ball 2005

In February of 2004 ensemble Barynya participated in "Party Planner with David Tutera" on famous Discovery Channel show. It was funny how many people watched that show on TV and complemented us on being a part of it. That is clear now that best in Party Business choose BARYNYA when they are looking for Russian theme entertainment.

"Party Planner with David Tutera", Discovery Channel
1 minure 30 seconds MPEG videoclip (7,86 MB)

Ensemble Barynya

Russian dance and music ensemble "Barynya" was founded back in 1991. Sasha Anchutin, Natasha Demidova and myself rehearsed the first few numbers at the Russian restaurant Fyodoroff in Glen Cove, Long Island. We always started concert program with traditional dance "Barynya" which later become the name of our group.

Russian entertainment database

In 1998 I registered and begin to design and promote Russian entertainment database website wich has become the first on-line Russian folk entertainment resouce in the United States. Since 1998 more then 500 venues found and hired Russian folk dancers, musicians, singers and ensembles using this daily updated catalog. Registration is still free! Since 2005 I become a member of many booking conferences for touring artists. There is hope to get even more gigs for performers and groups listed on my website in the United States and all over the world.

Being apart from professional performing on the stage with extraordinary musicians and dancers of ensemble Barynya I still go to parties with my friends. Then I take with me my favorite TULSKAYA GARMOSHKA, balalaika or guitar. We will sing and dance chastushki, Moroz-Moroz, Kalina and all our favorite Russian songs.

Tall Man Park, New York

Russian folk music and dance ensemble Barynya performance
Russian Heritage Event at Macy's Kings Plaza. Brooklyn, New York
Leonid Bruk, Alex Siniavski, Mikhail Smirnov

In 1994 I have met wonderful musician and balalaika virtuoso Alex Siniavski. As "Russian Balalaika Duo" we performed all over the United States, released two compact disks: Barynya Russian folk songs, Sergey Gusarov and first in the world BALALAIKA TUTORIAL ON DVD.

Mikhail Smirnov and balalaika virtuoso Alex Siniavski

In 1992 extremely talented Russian dancer Sasha Anchutin, who was trained and performed with world known Moyseev Dance Company, joined the group as choreographer and dancer. That was the beginning of Russian folk dance and music ensemble Barynya. The first show took place at Russian restaurant "Fyodoroff", Carle Place, Long Island, NY. The show always started with the dance BARYNYA and that also served as a name of our project.

Russian folk Trio Barynya, 1992

Misha and Natasha from Russia

After a while we started to perform with Natalia Demidova as Russian folk duo Misha and Natasha from Russia. Together we made compact disk "Beyond The Don River Russian Folksongs. That recording was very well recieved by people. It was offered through TOWER RECORDS chain, QVC Television Network and many other venues. We did not make millions, but it was great! People recognize us, we were touring the country with various groups, giving interviews to newspapers and signing autographs.

Russian folk duo "Misha and Natasha from Russia"

Welcome to America, 1991

On May 7th 1991 I arrived in the United States as a part of the "Moscow State Center Russkaya Pesnya (Russian Song)", director Nadezhda Babkina. Our show consisted of Elena Ivanova, Elena Kuz'mich, Marina Gorokhova, Natalia Demidova, Leonid Gorelov and Dmitriy Sharov and myself. We performed at the Russian restaurant "Fyodoroff" in Carle Place, New York.

Mineola, Long Island, New York, 1991

When my student years in Moscow State Academy of Arts were over I was working as singer/actor and choirmaster of Russian folk theatre MATANYA. It was a lot of fun. We were touring Siberia and rehearsing in Central House of Culture of Rail Road Workers. After ensemble "MATANYA" I was working with well known in Russia "Moscow State Center Russkaya Pesnya (Russian Song)", director Nadezhda Babkina. With this group I was lucky to perform in the best concert halls of Russia and touring in Kongo and USA.

Mikhail Smirnov as a student at Moscow State Institute of Culture and Art

Russian Folklore Expeditions

As a student of Moscow State University of Culture and Arts I went to many different parts of Russia such as Tver, Smolensk and Belgorod to collect Russian folklore. Songs, melodies, lyrics and tunes change from village to village, even those as close as couple of miles apart. In folklore expeditions I have recorded over 100 hours of Russian folk songs, tunes, and lyrics. Many of those songs are used in the program of ensemble "Barynya".

Before graduation Misha (Mikhail Smirnov) was a soloist/choirmaster at vocal semi-professional group "Moskovia" (Moscow, Russia), director Valery Kuzmich Nesterov. Formal education - Moscow State Academy of Culture and Arts. Master's Degree in Russian folk chorus conducting.

   
Graduation Day. Natasha Demidova, Georgy Krayushkin, Vladimir Aban'shin, my teacher Irina Vasilievna Shpariychuk

Soviet Army 1984-1986

I was in the Service for two years, from November 1984 to November 1986. It was the most difficult time of my life. I still remeber taste of food and smell of the KAZARMA where soldiers sleep. Among other responsibilities I was director of soldier's ensemble "Impuls" and also playing tuba in Russian Army Military Orchestra.

 

Moscow Boys Chorus

The Moscow Boys Chorus was my school. It was located in the center of Moscow, next to Pushkin's Square. The Moscow Boys Choir is considered to be one of Russia's most prestigious all-boy a cappella ensembles.

Our teacher and director Ninel Davydovna Kamburg, God bless her soul... has directed The Moscow Boys Choir since 1966. Choir members attend a special school in Moscow, where the boys traditionally begin rigorous training music as early as age 5. Those selected for the touring choir are chosen from all over Russia on the basis of both their talent at singing (choir members are hailed throughout the world for their "angelic" voices) and their discipline. "There is a level of honor for these boys to be members of the choir, but there are no life-style advantages. I was thrilled when as a child I was selected to study and perform with this premiere all-male ensemble. In 2001 The moscow Boys Chorus were touring United States and I was lucky to attend their performance in New Jersey. Below you can see two pictures with Ninel Davydovna Kamburg and its current director Mr. Leonid Baklushin

 
With Ninel Davydovna Kamburg and Leonid Baklushin, 2001

ARTICLES AND STORIES WRITTEN BY MIKHAIL SMIRNOV

Folklorama 2007 Russian Pavillion Winnipeg, Canada. 2007
Brooklyn Gypsy Cossacks rehearsal. 2007
Article about Russian dance. 2006
Article in L Magazine, 2006
Review of an album by balalaikist Nikita Siniy. 2006
Open Letter to balalaika player Sasha Ressetar. 2006
Ensemble Barynya in Eugene, Oregon. 2006
Balalaika player's Christmas Diary. 2005
How to buy contrabass balalaika. 2004

IN RUSSIAN

"Pепетиция ансамбля Барыня" в журнале "Сова". 2007
Краткая история русского народного танца. 2006
рецензия на альбом "Ничего себе балалайка"
Славянский фестиваль в городе Юджине, штат Орегон, 2006
Рождественский дневник балалаешника. 2005
Покупаем контрабас-балалайку. 2004
"Как бросить курить". 2000
"Как исполнять русские матерные частушки". 1999
Гороскопчик Миши Смирнова "О Вас без прикрас". 1998

DVD cover

New York based Russian folk dance and music ensemble "Barynya" DVD. Russian folk dances, tunes, songs, virtuoso performances on balalaika, bass-balalaika, gusli and garmoshka. Runtime: 1 hour Cover Art: Anna Nagorskaya Price: $30 US dollars (first class shipping included) more info/Order

Garmoshka Russian traditional music album in February 2007. Recording was made possible by singers-songwriters, Russian bard musicians Yuriy and Viktor Tenman from New York at their recording studio in Staten Island (Villa Nova Studio). Album contains traditional Russian tunes: "Kalinka", "Moscow nights", "Korobushka" and other Russian favorite songs performed on Russian garmoshka. If you ever attend a Russian party where people are singing, you will be able to recognize all the tunes from this album. The very first song that people will do together after a few drinks at the Russian wedding or Birthday party most likely will be "Moroz-Moroz" or "Gorochka"... read more, MP3 samples

Ethnic Russian Music Album recorded with ensemble Barynya in December 2006. Total time 45:46. Album released by AS IZ Recording. Philadelphia, PA. 2006. Favorite Russian melodies and songs performed on garmoshka, balalaika, Gypsy and classic guitars and contrabass... more information, MP3 samples

Russian folk music, song and dance album. Runtime: 64 minutes. Ensemble Barynya live from Wisconsin. Album released by AS IZ Recording. Philadelphia, PA. 2006. Songs: "The Peddlers", "You stood me up", "Angry mother (bila mene maty)", "Tongue Twister". Dances: "Hopak", "Sailor's Dance", "Barynya", "Kalinka". Balalaika solo: "The Moon is shining", "Chardash"... more info, MP3s, order

Russian Christmas Music Balalaika Album. Balalaika virtuoso Alex Siniavski, Mikhail Smirnov (guitar). Runtime: 51 minutes. Album released by AS IZ Recording. Philadelphia, PA. 2005. 25 Russian folk songs, dances, tunes, favorite Christmas and Holiday selections such as "Carol of Bells", "Deck The Halls", "Father Frost", "Jingle Bells", "Jolly Old Saint Nicholas", "Joy To The World", "Folk Carol from Smolensk", "Snowstorm", "Snegoorochka"... more information, MP3 samples

Sergey Gusarov" Russian folk songs and balalaika music album recorded with ensemble Barynya. Album released by AS IZ Recording. Philadelphia, PA. 2004. Russian folk music, tunes, songs and dances including title song Sergey Gusarov. Runtime: 65 minutes... more information, MP3 samples

Balalaika music album "Barynya Russian folk songs" recorded with balalaika virtuoso Alex Siniavski. Runtime: 35m 09s, Cover Art: Yury Tarler. Album released by AS IZ Recording. Philadelphia, PA. 2003. There are Russian folk tunes, dances and songs including "Evening bells", "Kalinka", "Katyusha", "Moscow Nights" and "Dark Eyes"... MP3 samples, order

"Beyond The Don River" Russian folksongs compact disk with singer Natalia Demidova (Smirnov) as Russian folk duo Misha and Natasha from Russia. Album released by RUSA Records, Philadelphia, PA. 1995. . Cover Art Vladimir Nekrasov. There are Russian folk lymericks, Cossacks ballads and marching songs, popular tunes and chastushki with accompaniment of garmoshka, guitar and balalaika... more info/Order

Question: - What do you get when you play Russian folk music backwards? Answer: - Russian Folk Music!

OLD PHOTOS

My grandfather who was killed during WWII Mikhail Egorovich Smirnov, my father Viktor Mikhailovich Smirnov (died in 1998), me in Russian village of Zelentsevo, Valdai, Russia, my mother Nina Vasilievna Smirnova with my sister Svetlana and me in 1972.

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Russian New Year's characters Father Frost and Snow Maiden
Ded Moroz and Snegurochka (Russian: Дед Мороз и Снегурочка)

Father Frost and Snow Maiden are the most important characters of the New Year's celebration in Russia. Father Frost (Ded Moroz, Russian: Дед Мороз) plays a role similar to that of Santa Claus. The literal translation of the name would be "Grandfather Frost". However, English-speakers traditionally translate "DED MOROZ" as the alliterative "FATHER FROST". Ded Moroz is always accompanied by his granddaughter Snegurochka - Snow Maiden (Russian: Снегурочка). New York based ensemble Barynya created a special Russian New Year's program with traditional Russian winter songs, dances and music: "In the forest a fir-tree was born" (V Lesu Rodilas' Yolochka), "Small Fir Tree is Freezing during the Winter" (Malen'koi Yolochke Kholdno Zimoy), "The snowstorm is blowing along the street" (Metelitsa), "Father Frost" (Moroz-Moroz), "Five minutes" (Pyat' Minut). Ded Moroz and Snegurochka are available for hire in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania (within 100 miles driving distance from New York City). For a fast price quote contact Mikhail Smirnov Father Frost and Snow Maiden - Ded Moroz and Snegurochka in New York City - photos

Russian singers for hire

For fast price quote contact Mikhail Smirnov at Barynya Entertainment

Russian Gypsy and popular songs singer Alexander Menshikov from Cliffside Park, New Jersey performs with his Russian Wedding Band 5GRAND.US, ensemble Barynya or solo. He studied singing at The Gnesin's Academy in Moscow, Russia.

Acclaimed Russian Jewish singer and actor from New York Yakov Yavno

Piques Dames perform in the New York metropolitan area. Their repertoire includes a variety of Slavic and European Classical and Folk vocal music as well as compositions from operatic and sacred classics.

Singer, keyboard player, MC Yury Mitchenko is available in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania

Russian, Gypsy, Jewish, Italian and American singer Sergei Pobedinski from New York City, USA

Russian folk singer Irina Zagornova from New York, USA

Classical Russian Gypsy singer Vasily Yankovich was named the best Tsygansky (Russian Roma Gypsy) singer in the United States. Available in New York, New Jersey and internationally.

Gypsy Roma singer and dancer, 7-string guitar virtuoso Vadim Kolpakov

Honored performers of Russia Svetlana Smirnova and Yury Selivanov from Moscow, Russia

Russian folk singer and garmoshka player Mikhail Smirnov from Fort Lee, New Jersey performs authentic Russian folk songs and tongue twisters.

Russian folk singer Nina Selivanova from Moscow, Russia

Russian, Ukrainian and Gypsy singer Nikolai Massenkoff from San Francisco, California

Russian folk singer Tanya Matveeva from Moscow, Russia

Russian singer Marina Zhuravleva from Calgary, Canada

Russian classical singer (Bass) Vladimir Loginov from New York City. He is a profesional singer of the Bass solo parts in operas. He can also perform Russian, Ukrainian, Gypsy and international repertoire. Vladimir Loginov helds a Master's degree from Moscow State Conservatory named after P. Tchaikovsky (Vocal Department).

Russian bayan player, singer and actor Vitali Baganov from New York City, New York, USA

Russian Cossack singer and dancer Valentina Kvasova from New York, USA

Ukrainian singer, musician from San Fransisco, California Nina Tritenichenko

Russian folk singer Natalia Demidova from New York

Russian, Cossack, Ukrainian and Gypsy folk singer Victoria Pichurova from Brooklyn, New York, USA

Russian singer Elena Harris from Grand Forks, Idaho, USA

Gypsy singer Svetlana Yankovsky from Las Vegas, Nevada

Russian singer, Bass-baritone Alexander Prokhorov from Boston, Massachusetts was born in Russia. Now he lives in Boston, where he is engaged as one of the performing artists with Boston University's Opera Institute. Alexander has been described as a "true deep bass with tones, that immediately astonished with their midnight-dark, chasm depth of richness and powerful timber..."

Russian singer (bass-barytone) Boris Kletinich from Montreal, Canada was graduated from the University of Theater Art and Film of Moscow (Russia). During his military service, he was soloist of the Air Force Orchestra and Chorus of the Red Army. Boris can sing different musical forms: Russian popular and love songs, rock and love ballad, the jazz, the popular writings of Broadway, the Jewish and Latin America songs, arias of opera.

Legendary Russian Gypsy singer Zhenya Shevchenko from New York City, USA

Russian singer Zarina Maliti from Moscow, Russia

MORE PERFORMERS at RUSSIAN ENTERTAINMENT DATABASE