The Russian music, dance and song ensemble Barynya (Russian: Барыня), established in the year 1991 in New York City, is a world renowned group that enjoys exalting stature as the premier Russian folk ensemble outside of Russia. Barynya presents 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. Barynya has been invited to perform at some of the most prestigious cultural venues in the United States, including Carnegie Hall in New York, the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, the Smithsonian Institute of America in Washington D.C., the United Nations in New York, Russian Embassy in Washington D.C., and many other venues.
Barynya is globally recognized and boasts an impressive client roster of dignitaries, politicians, celebrities and organizations from around the world. The group performed at the black-tie Gala after the Liberty Medal was presented to former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev by President George H.W. Bush in 2008. The prestigious event was attended by over one thousand dignified guests including the likes of Tom Brokaw, Dikembe Mutumbo and Van Cliburn.
Barynya also performs annually at the Russian Nobility Ball for the Russian Nobility Association in New York. Members of the ensemble have been invited to perform at many film premier and celebrity parties, including the official post-Grammy Award parties in New York and for private events hosted by Barbara Walters, Elton John, the Rolling Stones, and Tommy Hilfiger. Most recently, Mikhail Smirnov, the founder and Artistic Director of Barynya, was invited as one of the eight judges on NBC’s hit dance show, "Superstars of Dance". Each judge is an expert in a different nation’s traditional style of dance and the NBC producers decided that Mr. Smirnov, as founder of the premier Russian folk ensemble outside of Russia, is the authority on traditional Russian dance.
"Superstars of Dance" global dance competition, NBC
Barynya dancers pictured on TV GUIDE website during SUPERSTARS OF DANCE international competition led by famous producers Nigel Lythgoe and Simon Fuller (American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance). Barynya performed acrobatic Cosssack dance routine in this competition hosted by Michael Flatley ("Lord of the Dance") and Susie Castillo, a former Miss USA. Artistic Director of Barynya was one of eight judges to decide which country will take home the coveted Trophy.
September 21 and 22, 2024. Ann Arbor Russian Festival, Michigan
Ensemble Barynya was the headliner at the Ann Arbor Festival-2024, 9900 Jackson Rd., Dexter, MI 48130 on Saturday, September 21, 2024, and Sunday, September 22, 2024.
Freeport Concert Association (11 dancers, 3 musicians, and singer), October 13, 2018
Ukrainian dance Hopak
Tatar dance from Kazan' in Tatarstan
Metelitsa Horovod Dance
Cossack Dance from the Don River
Russian Sailor's Dance
Russian folk dance Barynya
Russian Gypsy Dance
Jewish Bottle Dance
watch this video on youtube.com website
Kalinka, Russian traditional Dance
Danila Cooper, Russian Nobility Dance
Mikhail Smirnov, Elina Karokhina (balalaika), Irina Zagornova (singer), Alisa Egorova, Leonid Bruk (balalaika contrabass)
Mikhail Smirnov (garmoshka), Elina Karokhina (balalaika), Leonid Bruk (balalaika contrabass)
September 11th, 2020. Recording of ensemble Barynya promo-video. Kings Bay YM-YWHA, Brooklyn, New York
On Friday, September 11th, 2020 dancers, singers and musicians of Barynya, Russian dance, song and music ensemble had a rehersal and session of video recording at the Kings Bay YM-YWHA - a Jewish community center and proud partner of UJA-Federation of New York - located at 3495 Nostrand Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11229. Cast of Barynya on that day included
Simona Zhukovsky (dancer),
Valentina Kvasova (dancer, vocals),
Olga Chpitalnaia (dancer),
Olga Yeliseyeva (dancer),
Alexander Rudoy (dancer),
Vladimir Nikitin (dancer),
Konstantin Tulinov (dancer),
Danila Sherstobitov (dancer),
Leonid Bruk (contrabass-balalaika),
Elina Karokhina (balalaika),
Mikhail Smirnov (garmoshka, guitar, vocals), and singer
Irina Zagornova. Company recorded one song performed by Irina Zagornova and several dance routines: "Barynya", "Kalinka", Cossack dance, Moldavian dance, "Metelitsa", Tatar dance, Gypsy dance and Jewish Bottle dance.
COSTUMES: Colorful Russian, Siberian, Cossack, Ukrainian, Gypsy and Klezmer stage outfits: "sarafans", "kokoshniks", "rubashkas", "sapogis", and "kosovorotkas". Each dance number performed in appropriate and authentic costumes, all hand-made by well known traditional Russian custume designer Svetlana Gavrilova who also created all costumed characters and mascots.
MEMBERS: Only the best Russian, Cossack, Ukrainian dancers and musicians can become a member of the ensemble. Top folk dancers, traditional virtuoso musicians and top singers of the ensemble Barynya use to perform with world re-known companies: Moiseev Dance Company, Virsky Ukrainian National Dance Company, Don Cossacks of Rostov Don, Andreev State Symphonic Balalaika Orchestra, Moscow State Folk Center "Russian Song", Ensemble of Black Sea Navy Dancers, Riverdance, "Beryozka" and others.
STORY:
Russian folk dance and music trio Barynya was founded in November 1991 by Russian accordion player Mikhail Smirnov, dancer Sasha Anchutin, and Russian folk singer Natasha Demidova. The first show took place at the Russian restaurant "Fyodoroff" in Carle Place, New York. Program of the Barynya ensemble always started with fast Russian traditional dance Barynya which later has become the name of the group.
REVIEWS:
"...'Barynya', world-acclaimed musicians, singers and dancers...", said journalist KEITH J. O'CONNOR in his article "Russia's taste goes beyond the palate" in the Massachusetts' "Republican"
RECOMMENDATIONS:"...Beautiful performance helped make the Global Festival such a memorable evening... I could not be more impressed. I was up and out of my seat, dancing alone with them for just about every dance..."more recomendations
CLIENTS:
Top cultural venues of the United States, US corporations, Russian Nobility, American educational organizations, best event and party planners, Russian tycoons and oligarchs choose Brooklyn based ensemble "Barynya", when they need top quality Russian entertainment - dancers, virtuoso musicians, singers and performers.
Emirates-Russian Week, Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, October 2019
Musicians of Barynya ensemble provided several thirty minute performances during Emirates-Russian Week at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Mikhail Gorbachev's Liberty Medal Award Gala at the National Constitution Center, Philadelphia, PA
Ensemble Barynya performed during Diner Gala after the Liberty Medal 2008 was presented to former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev by President George H.W. Bush. Official ceremony took place on Thursday, September 18, 2008 at The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. letter of recommendation.
Eight Barynya dancers, four musicians and three singers entertained a black-tie dinner for more than 1,000 guests including President George H. W. Bush, Tom Brokaw, Dikembe Mutumbo and Van Cliburn. Barynya performed both concert music and dance throughout the evening. President's Bush and Gorbachev were thrilled. World known concert pianist Van Cliburn shake hands with the balalaika virtuoso Lev Zabeginsky and other musicians. MC of the evening, American television journalist Tom Brokaw, used one of our microphones to do the toasts. He was standing next to Barynya musicians on the stage.
Barynya dance ensemble celebrates 20 years.
Article in New Jersey's newspaper www.northjersey.com by Tara Driggs
Read this article on www.northjersey.com website
Virtual concerts of Russian dance, music and songs with ensemble Barynya
Due to the Covid-19 virus dancers and musicians of ensemble Barynya are offering virtual concerts for schools, libraries, festivals, and other venues. Performances are live-streamed via Zoom, FaceBook Live, YouTube.com, and other types of media.
Live Music Balalaika Band - Wedding Tasting Room & Taphouse at Mount Ida Reserve - in Scottsville, Virginia - October 8, 2022
DJ Alisa, bilingual MC-Tamada Mikhail and eight piece live music band provided music and entertainment for mixed Russian-Jewish-American wedding reception in Scottsville, Virginia on Saturday, October 8th, 2022. For their venue newlyweds selected Tasting Room & Taphouse at Mount Ida Reserve, 5600 Moonlight Dr, Scottsville, VA 24590.
The Russian music, dance and song ensemble Barynya (Russian: Барыня), established in the year 1991 in New York City, is a world renowned group that enjoys exalting stature as the premier Russian folk ensemble outside of Russia. Barynya presents 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. Barynya has been invited to perform at some of the most prestigious cultural venues in the United States, including Carnegie Hall in New York, the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, the Smithsonian Institute of America in Washington D.C., the United Nations in New York, Russian Embassy in Washington D.C., and many other venues.
all photos and videos from St. George Festival
Ensemble Barynya performed during Diner Gala after the Liberty Medal 2008 was presented to former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev by President George H.W. Bush. Official ceremony took place on Thursday, September 18, 2008 at The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. 
