Elina Karokhina at the Carnegie Hall in New York City
Balalaika virtuoso Elina Karokhina performed six concerts at the Carnegie Hall in New York City on May 23rd, 24th, and 27th, 2016 as a soloist of "The Orchestra Rocks" production. Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Institute brought together thousands of New York City students and teachers for annual "Link Up" concerts, featuring the Orchestra of St. Luke's, choir and three opera singers.
On January 14, 2015 Elina Karokhina was selected to performed balalaika part with Mariinsky Theatre from St. Petersburg, Russia in Rodion Shchedrin's opera "The Enchanted Wanderer" at the BAM - Howard Gilman Opera House in Brooklyn, New York. Some photos and video from Shchedrin’s rarely staged musical treasure, based on the story by Nikolai Leskov are available on Barynya website
Elina Karokhina with Irina Zagornova, Leonid Bruk and Mikhail Smirnov, Queens, New York, 10-13-2018
Billions, the Showtime series at restaurant Tatiana on Brighton Beach in Brooklyn, New York
Musicians of ensemble Barynya - balalaika virtuoso Elina Karokhina, contrabass balalaika player Leonid Bruk, and guitar player Alex Efeemenko at the filming of the scene of Billions (ep. 309, 310), the Showtime series at the Russian restaurant Tatiana on Brighton Beach in Brooklyn, New York on Monday, February 5th 2018. In that episode John Malkovich was playing a role of a murderous Russian oil oligarch named Grigor Andalov. The musicians of Barynya ensemble played a role of Russian musicians.
click images above to see more photos
July 16, 2022. Niagara Falls, ONTARIO, Canada, Russian Adoption Reunion 2022
On Saturday, July 16th, 2022 musicians and dancers of ensemble Barynya - Mikhail Smirnov, Elina Karokhina, Alisa Egorova, Valentina Kvasova, Alexandr Rudoy - performed 30 minutes show for adoptees ages 8-21, and their families during Russian Adoption Reunion 2022 event that took place at the Sheraton Fallsview Hotel, 5875 Falls Ave, Niagara Falls, ONTARIO L2G 3K7, Canada. There were adoptees from Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Kyrgyzstan and China. Totasl guests count: 250. The program included "Korobushka", "Kalinka", "Valenkee" ("Woolen Boots"), "Mardzhandzha", "Hopak", "Dark Eyes", "The Moon Is Shining Brightly" and "Bottle Dance" based on the "Fiddler On The Roof".
Emirates-Russian Week, Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Musicians of Barynya ensemble provided several thirty minute performances during Emirates-Russian Week at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
01-23-2020. "From Russians With Love", Concert with Charleston Symphony Orchestra, Gaillard Center, Charleston, SC
On Thursday, January 23rd, 2020 Elina Karokhina, and Mikhail Smirnov performed joined concert titled "FROM RUSSIANS WITH LOVE" with Charleston Symphony Orchestra led by conductor Yuriy Bekker. Program of performance: Dmitri Shostakovich Festive Overture, Op. 96, Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky “ Polonaise ” from Eugene Onegin, Sergei Rachmaninoff's Vocalise, Modest Mussorgsky, (arr. Nikolai Rimsky - Korsakov) Night on Bald Mountain, Stravinsky's Firebird Infernal Dance Berceuse Finale, Aram Khachaturian's “Sabre Dance“ from Gayane, Nikolai Rimsky - Korsakov “Flight of the Bumble Bee” from Tale of Tsar Saltan, Russian Folk Song "Oche Chiornie" (Dark Eyes), arr. Carmen Dragon, Lionel Bart, arr. John Bachalis “ From Russia With Love “ from James Bond: From Russia With Love, Maurice Jarre, arr. Bill Holcombe “Laura’s Theme” from Dr. Zhivago, Russian Folk Song "Kalinka", Russian Folk Song "Kamarinskaiya", Russian Folk Song "Valenki", Russian Folk Song "Korobushka", Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky “Finale” from Symphony No . 4 in F minor, Op. 36. All instrumental numbers were performed by Elina and MIkhail on guitar, and the traditional Russian instruments balalaika and garmoshka. After the performance conductor Yuriy Bekker, tenor Edward Brennan, Mikhail and Elina stepped into the lobby of the beautuful Charleston Gaillard Center to sign concert posters and take photos with people who attended the performance. Exact address of the venue: 95 Calhoun Street, Charleston, SC 29401
Sept 11, 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.
Performance with the Washington Balalaika Orchestra
In the end of November 2021 Elina was invited as a soloist and balalaika prima of the Washington Balalaika Orchestra for two performances in Virginia and Maryland. The WBS (Washington Balalaika Orchestra) is a community-based orchestra of more than fifty musicians with a mixture of amateur and professional training. Conductor Svetlana Nikonova.
Russian Nobility Ball 2023, The Pierre A Taj Hotel, New York City
On Friday, May 5, 2023 90th Annual Russian Nobility Ball took place at The Pierre A Taj Hotel in New York City. Musicians played during cocktail hour, dancers opened the Ball with a Waltz from Sleeping Beauty. The dinner show included Kolomeyka, Mexican, Tatar, American, Gypsy, Flamenko, Hopak, Chardash (instrumental), and Kalinka.
Barynya live at the Anyway Cafe and Bar, Brooklyn, New York
Musicians of ensemble Barynya were playing in Brooklyn on Saturday, May 6th, 2023 from 9pm to midnight. Performance took place in colorful Sheepshead Bay neighborhood of Southern Brooklyn at the Anyway Cafe and Bar, 1602 Gravesend Neck Road, Brooklyn, New York 11229. Musicians Mikhail Smirnov (guitar, vocals, garmoshka) and Elina Karokhina (domra, mandolin, balalaika, back vocals) performed world music, classical, contemporary, etc.
Elina Karokhina, Mikhail Smirnov at the Anyway Cafe Brooklyn, 05-06-2023, Saturday, May 6th, 2023
В субботу, 6-ого мая 2023-его года для жителей города и туристов в колоритном бруклинском районе Шипсхед-Бей (южный Бруклин) в исполнении виртуозных музыкантов ансамбля "Барыня" - Элина Карохина (балалайка, домра, мандолина), Михаил Смирнов (гитара, гармошка, вокал) - звучала живая музыка.
Saturday, June 5th, 2021. Gypsy Night at the Anyway Cafe in New York City
Russian Gypsy singer Natasha Stolichnaya and NYC Gypsy Band performed for 3 hours at the Anyway Cafe in New York City on Saturday, June 5th, 2021 (8 to 11pm). Cast of performers: Natasha Stolichnaya, Frida Anuarbek (keyboard, vocals), Elina Karokhina (balalaika virtuoso), Mikhail Smirnov (guitar, vocals, garmoshka). Repertoire: Russian Gypsy songs and music, popular Russian songs, classical music, international hit songs.
Первый публичный концерт ансамбля "Барыня" после начала эпидемии КОВИД-19 состоялся в субботу, 22-ого августа 2020 года в Антермаер парке города Янкерс (штат Нью-Йорк). Untermyer Park and Gardens (остатки поместья Сэмюэля Дж. Унтермайера "Грейстон") - исторический городской общественный парк площадью 43 акра, расположенный в Йонкерсе, штат Нью-Йорк, в округе Вестчестер, к северу от Манхаттена. На концерте было примерно пятьдесят человек зрителей (строго по пригласительным билетам). Вся публика была в масках. Люди сидели друг от друга на расстоянии в шесть футов (примерно два метра). Прямая трансляция выступления шла для остальных подписчиков этой концертной серии через Фейсбук и YouTube. Басист ансамбля Леонид Брук (Leonid Bruk) записал видео выступления. Благодаря ему концерт можно посмотреть полностью от начала до конца.
Saturday, August 22nd, 2020, Untermyer Park and Gardens, Yonkers, New York, Mikhail Smirnov, Leonid Bruk, Elena Notkina, Natasha Stolichnaya, Frida Anuarbek, Maryia Zhukovich, Vladimir Nikitin, Elina Karokhina, Konstantin Tulinov, Katsiaryna Mileuskaya, Valentina Kvasova, Veronika Hunko
Fayetteville Technical Community College, Fayetteville, North Carolina
On Tuesday, January 21st, 2020, two dancers and two musicians of Russian dance, song and music ensemble Barynya provided dance and music workshop with questions and answers from 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM, and formal performance from 12:00PM to 1PM at the Cumberland Hall Auditorium on Fayetteville campus Fayetteville Technical Community College, 2201 Hull Road, Fayetteville, NC 28303. Students learn facts about Russia, and asked questions about Russian Culture and e njoy traditional Russian folk dances, music, and songs performed on garmoshka, and balalaika. Cast of performers: dancer Alisa Egorova, singer Mikhail Smirnov, balalaika player Elina Karokhina, and dancer Sergey Tsyganok.
On Saturday, March 27th, 2021 from 8 to 11pm Mikhail Smirnov (guitar, garmoshka, vocals) and Elina Karokhina (balalaika virtuoso) played Russian, Gypsy, classical and contemporary music at the Anyway CafeBrooklyn Exact address of the venue: Anyway Cafe 1602 Gravesend Neck Rd, Brooklyn, NY 11229.
12-01-2020. Virtual performance for Musical Bridges Around the World "Facebook Live for Giving Tuesday" event in San Antonio, Texas
On Tuesday, December 1st, 2020 Elina Karokhina (balalaika) and Mikhail Smirnov (garmoshka, guitar, vocals) provided brief virtual performance for Musical Bridges Around the World Facebook Live for Giving Tuesday! Mission to support and bring multicultural performing and visual arts in San Antonio, Texas and beyond. Musicians performed two Russian winter songs and answered a few questions.
Koinonia Christian Fellowship, Bloomingdale, Canada, October 26, 2019
Leonid Bruk, Elina Karokhina, Mikhail Smirnov performed a program of Russian and Russian-Gypsy traditional music during Svet Ministries Event at the Koinonia Christian Fellowship in Bloomingdale, Canada on Saturday, October 26, 2019 . Performance took place at the Koinonia Christian Fellowship, 850 Sawmill Rd, Bloomingdale, ON N0B 1K0, Canada.
Ann Arbor Russian Festival 2019, St. Vladimir Orthodox Church, Dexter, Michigan
Dancers, singers, and musicians of Barynya ensemble provided several performances during 7th Annual Ann Arbor Russian Festival 2019 that was taking place on the gounds of St. Vladimir Orthodox Church in Dexter, Michigan on Saturday, September 14th and Sunday, September 15th, 2019. Cast: Alisa Egorova (dancer), Serhiy Tsyganok (dancer), Konstantin Tulinov (dancer), Simona Zhukovski (dancer), balalaika virtuoso Elina Karokhina, Leonid Bruk (balalaika-contrabass), Mikhail Smirnov.
Wedding at the 26 Bridge, downtown Brooklyn, Friday, September 13th, 2019
Dancers, singers, and musicians of Barynya ensemble provided 30 min show during Russian-American wedding reception at the 26 Bridge in downtown Brooklyn on Friday, September 13th, from 8pm to 8:30pm. Exact address of the venue: 26 Bridge, 26 Bridge Street, Brooklyn, New York. The program of performance included Russian folk dance "Kalinka", Russian folk song "Korobushka", Russian Gypsy dance "Mardzhandzha", Ukrainian folk dance "Hopak", Jewish wedding dance with candle, Jewish Bottle Dance, Csardas by Vittorio Monti, and Russian folk song "The Moon Is Shining Brightly" (Светит месяц).
Anyway Cafe, New York City
On Tuesday, September 10th, 2019 from 8 to 11pm two musicians of Barynya ensemble Elina Karokhina (balalaika), and Mikhail Smirnov (vocal, guitar) played for 3 hours at the Anyway Cafe in East Village, Manhattan. Exact address: Cafe Anyway NYC, 34 East 2nd Street, New York, NY 10003-8909. Phone: (212) 533-3412. Elina and Mikhail played a mix of some modern popular songs, classical pieces, Russian, Cossack, Ukrainian, Jewisjh, Gypsy popular and traditional songs and instrumental numbers on balalaika, garmoshka, and guitar. Music selections included Sabre Dance from "Gayane" by Aram Khachaturian, The Hungarian Dance Number 5 (German: Ungarische Tanze) by Johannes Brahms, Csardas by Vittorio Monti, Paganini's Caprice No. 24, Rondo Alla Turca (Turkish March) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Polonaise No. 13 in A minor, "Pozegnanie Ojczyzny" (Farewell to the Fatherland) by Michal Oginski, Libertango by Astor Piazzolla, J.S. Bach - Suite No. 2 - Badinerie (Joke), Variations on a Theme of Corelli in the Style of Tartini. Composer, Kreisler, Fritz, Marie-Auguste Massacrie-Durand Valse No.1, Op.83 (First Waltz), "Moscow Nights", "Kalinka", "Long Road", "Two Guitars", "Meadowlands", Andreev's Waltz "Daydreams", Russian folk dance "Kamarinskaya", "Somewhere My Love" from "Dr. Zhivago" movie, "The Moon Is Shining Brightly", "The Peddlers", "Yablocko", "Ural Mountains Dance", "Angry Husband", Onegin's Name Day Waltz, Mozart's "Turkish Rondo", "Dark Eyes", "Gypsy Roma Medley", Shostakovich's Waltz #2, "Chardash", Balalaika Medley, "Valenki" (Felt Boots).
Faith Food and Fellowship Festival, Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, East Meadow, Long Island
On Saturday, August 31st, 2019 ensemble Barynya (Leonid Bruk, Alisa Egorova, Elina Karokhina, Mikhail Smirnov) provided three hours performance during Faith Food and Fellowship Festival-2019 at the Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in East Meadow, Long Island from 12 to 3pm. The program of performance included Russian, Ukrainian, Cossack, Moldavian, Tatar, Jewish and Gypsy folk songs, music and dancing.
Russian dancers, singers and musicians of ensemble Barynya performed 90 min concert at the Lone Tree Arts Center in Lone Tree, Colorado on Saturday, March 9th, 2019. Cast of Barynya ensemble included dancers
Alexander Rudoy,
Konstantin Tulinov,
Vladimir Nikitin,
Olga Chpitalnaia,
Katia Brovkina,
Valentina Kvasova,
Alisa Egorova, and musicians
Leonid Bruk (balalaika-contrabass),
Elina Karokhina (balalaika),
Mikhail Smirnov (garmoshka, guitar, vocals).
Dancers performed Moldavian dance, Sailors' dance, Barynya, Kalinka, Hopak, Danila Cooper, Jewish wedding dances (Bottle dance, Candle dance), Siberian, Gypsy, Cossack, and other selections. Exact address of the venue: Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons Street, Lone Tree CO 80124.
Ensemble Barynya, Colorado, Russian dancers, Lone Tree Arts Center, Alexander Rudoy, Konstantin Tulinov, Vladimir Nikitin, Olga Chpitalnaia, Katia Brovkina, Valentina Kvasova, Alisa Egorova, Leonid Bruk, Elina Karokhina, Mikhail Smirnov
Concert at the Freeport High School in Freeport, New York
On Saturday, October 13th, 2018 ensemble Barynya performed 90 min concert sponsored by Freeport Community Concert Association (FCCA) at the Freeport High School, 50 S Brookside Ave, Freeport, NY 11520. Cast of Barynya ensemble included Vladimir Nikitin, Irina Zagornova, Leonid Bruk, Valentina Kvasova, Alexander Rudoy, Simona Zhukovski, Serhiy Tsyganok, Irina Biryukova, Konstantin Tulinov, Olga Yeliseyeva, Olga Chpitalnaia, Ilia Pankratov, Alisa Egorova, Elina Karokhina, and Mikhail Smirnov.
Russian Birthday party with Cheburashka, Bear, garmoshka, and balalaika
Russian Birthday party with dancing Bear, live garmoshka and balalaika, famous Russian Soviet Birthday song "Пусть бегут неуклюже пешеходы по лужам" composed by Vladimir Shainsky as well as appearance of the Cheburashka, as well as traditional Russian, Cossack, Ukrainian, Tatar, Jewish and Gypsy dancing took place near Philadelphia in Pennsylvania on Saturday, December 8th, 2018. Happy Birthday, Yura!
Steinway Street Fair International Cultural Festival in Astoria, Queens, April 2018
Sunday, April 29th, 2018 during performance of ensemble Barynya at the Steinway Street Fair International Cultural Festival on Steinway Street (between Broadway & 31st Avenue) in Astoria, Queens. Dancers: Vladimir Nikitin, Konstantin Tulinov, Serhiy Tsyganok, Dinara Subaeva, Alisa Egorova. Musicians: Elina Karokhina (balalaika), Leonid Bruk (contrabass balalaika), Mikhail Smirnov (garmoshka, vocals), Gypsy Boulevard Vasily Romani (singer, 7 string Russian guitar).
Steinway Street Fair International Cultural Festival in Astoria, Queens
Concert with Klezmer band at the Congress Park in Saratoga Springs, New York, Sunday, August 26th, 2018
Druzhba Ohr Natan Rego Park Community Center and Synagogue, Rego Park, Queens, July 2018
Elina Karokhina, Leonid Bruk, Druzhba Ohr Natan Rego Park Community Center and Synagogue, Rego Park, Queens, July 26, 2018
BDAA-2018, 40th Anniversary conference of the Balalaika and Domra Association of America, Valley Forge Casino Resort, King Of Prussia, Pennsylvania, July 2018
BDAA-2018, 40th Anniversary conference of the Balalaika and Domra Association of America, Valley Forge Casino Resort, King Of Prussia, Pennsylvania, USA, July 16, 2018
Performance at the Garden of Joy Adult Care Center, Brooklyn, New York, July 9, 2018
Bard Music Festival, Hudson Сollege, Amenia, New York, June 2018
Elina Karokhina, Bard Music Festival, Hudson Сollege, Amenia, New York, June 2018
Steinway Street Fair International Cultural Festival in Astoria, Queens, April 2018
Sunday, April 29th, 2018 during performance of ensemble Barynya at the Steinway Street Fair International Cultural Festival on Steinway Street (between Broadway & 31st Avenue) in Astoria, Queens. Dancers: Vladimir Nikitin, Konstantin Tulinov, Serhiy Tsyganok, Dinara Subaeva, Alisa Egorova. Musicians: Elina Karokhina (balalaika), Leonid Bruk (contrabass balalaika), Mikhail Smirnov (garmoshka, vocals), Gypsy Boulevard Vasily Romani (singer, 7 string Russian guitar).
Steinway Street Fair International Cultural Festival in Astoria, Queens
Fort Lauderdale Grand Russian Ball, Mary Porter Riverview Ballroom, Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Florida, February 2017
Russian balalaika duo at the Black Tie Gala, Fort Lauderdale Grand Russian Ball 2017 at the Mary Porter Riverview Ballroom, 75th Anniversary of Florida Grand Opera at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 Southwest 5th Ave, Fort Lauderdale FL 33312.
LuCille Tack Center for the Arts, Spencer, Wisconsin, February 11th, 2018
Ensemble Barynya, Massenkoff Russian Folk Festival led by world celebrated singer Nikolai Massenkoff, performed at LuCille Tack Center for the Arts in Spencer, Wisconsin Sunday, February 11th, 2018. Dancers Simona Zhukovski, Vladimir Nikitin, Serhiy Tsyganok, Dinara Subaeva. Musicians: Elina Karokhina (balalaika), Mikhail Smirnov (guitar, vocals), Stas Vengelevski (bayan). Exact address of the LuCille Tack Center for the Arts is 400 School Street, P.O. Box 337, Spencer, WI 54479. Program of performance included Kalinka, The Moon is Shining, Russkoye Polye, Korobushka, Metelitsa, Tatar dance, Ural Mountain dance, Tyomnaiya Noch', Katyusha, Tatarskiy Taneyts, Kamarinskaia, Along The Pitersakia, Cossack dance, Valenkee, Gypsy dance, Moscow Nights, Ochee Chorniye, Dorogoi Dlinnoyou, Hopak, If I Were A Rich Man, Barynya, Somewhere My Love, and other selections.
Russian Adoption Reunion-2017 at the Great Wolf Lodge, Garden Grove, California, July 22, 2017
Russian dance, song and music ensemble Barynya performed 30 min concert during Russian Adoption Reunion-2017 event at the Great Wolf Lodge in Garden Grove, California on Saturday, July 22, 2017. Exact address of the venue: Great Wolf Lodge, 12681 Harbor Blvd, Garden Grove, CA 92840. The program of the performance included Russian traditional dance "Barynya", Russian folk button accordion garmoshka (Russian: Гармошка) introduction with traditional Russian song "Saturday Affair" ("Subboteya"), Russian traditional Khorovod song and dance "The Snowstorm" (Russian: "Метелица"), introduction of the Russian traditional string instrument balalaika (instrumental solo of folk tune "Kamarinskaiya" (Russian: "Камаринская"), Cossack marching song and dance "Pri Luzhke", Russian Jewish wedding dance with Candles ("Свечка"), Russian Roma (Romani) Gypsy song and dance "Dark Eyes" (Russian: Очи чёрные - Цыганский), Russian Tongue-Twisters Medley (Russian: "Скороговорки"), Felt Boots ("Валенки"), Ukrainian folk song and dance "Pidmanula" - "You Tricked Me" ("Украинский"), "Sabre Dance" ("Танец с саблями"), Russian folk dance "Kalinka", and other selections.
Corporate event at the Siberian Floors NYC, July 12, 2017
Matryoshka Festival, Clinton, Massachusetts, Sunday, May 14, 2017
День Победы в Коннектикуте - Victory Day in Weston, CT, May 2017
Pima Community College, Tucson, Arizona, January 28, 2017
Barynya Balalaika Trio, Elina Karokhina, Mikhail Smirnov, Leonid Bruk. Concert with Arizona Balalaika Orchestra at the Pima Community College in Tucson, Arizona on January 28, 2017
Russian festival, New Russia Cultural Center, Rensselaer, NY, 2016
Ensemble Barynya (from left to right) Andrei Kisselev, Elina Karokhina, Yana Volkova, Alisa Egorova, Aleena Kisselev, Mikhail Smirnov, New Russia Cultural Center, Rensselaer, New York click image above to see more photos from New Russia Cultural Center in Rensselaer, New York
Saturday, August 6th, 2016, Adult Day Health Care Center "Zabota", Allston, Massachusetts
Click on the images above to see full-size high resolution photos
BDAA conference 2016, Courtyard Bloomington, Bloomington, Indiana, July 22, 2016
Sunrise Adult Day Healthcare Center, Brooklyn, New York, December 25, 2015
Synodal Cathedral of the Icon of Our Lady of the Sign, New York, New York, 02-22-2015
NY Balalaika Duo {Elina Karokhina and Mikhail Smirnov} performed during Russian Orthodox Maslenitsa (блины и прощённое воскресенье) celebration at the Synodal Cathedral of the Icon of Our Lady of the Sign, 75 East 93rd Street, New York, NY 10128-1331 on Sunday, February 22, 2015. On the photo in the middle balalaika virtuoso Elina Karokhina with Prince Vladimir K. Galitzine.
Barynya Balalaika Trio in Greenwich, Connecticut (private party, October 2015)
click images above to see full-size high resolution photos
Peabody Essex Museum (PEM), exhibition "Faberge Revealed", Salem, Massachusetts, July 2013.
Photo from concert at the Peabody Essex Museum (PEM) during exhibition "Faberge Revealed" in Salem, Massachusetts, July 2013. All photos made by Shawn Fitzgerald Photography are available on Barynya website.
State Capella of Saint Petersburg, St.Petersburg, Russia, February 27, 2012.
Elina Karokhina and Mikhail Smirnov were invited to perform at the concert dedicated to celebration of 80th jubilee of Mr. Nikolai Aleksandrovich Shubin, famous teacher of the balalaika and domra. Elina and Mikhail played very difficult medley that consisted of Russian folk songs, classical and popular hits. The concert took place at the "State Capella of Saint Petersburg", one of the most prestigious concert halls in St. Petersburg, Russia located at Naberezhnaya Reky Moiki, #20, metro (subway station) "Nevsky Prospekt". All photos and videos are available at st.petersburg.russia.htm
Singer Irina Fogelson, balalaika virtuoso Elina Karokhina, violinist Eduard Glushkin, bayan player Gennady Gutkin, and Semyon Lemberskiy (guitar, bass, balalaika) provided 3 hours of music and songs for the private party on Long Island
Russian-American Wedding at the Garrison, Garrison, New York
On Saturday, September 17th, 2011 musicians and dancers of Russian dance, song, and music ensemble Barynya provided music and entertainment during mixed Russian-American wedding in Garrison, New York. Cast of Barynya included Danila Sherstobitov (dancer), Ilia Pankratov (dancer), Olga Chpitalnaia (dancer), Anna Brovkina (dancer), Leinid Bruk (contrabass balalaika player), Mikhail Smirnov (singer, garmoshka, and guitar player), and balalaika virtuoso Elina Karokhina. Exact address of the venue: The Garrison, 2015 US 9, Garrison, New York 10524. Address for GPS: 1 Snakehill Rd, Garrison, NY 10524.
Concert at the United States West Point Military Academy, West Point, New York
Balalaika Trio perfored a formal concert at the West Point Military Academy on April 16th, 2015. Elina Karokhina (balalaika), Mikhail Smirnov (garmoshka, guitar, vocals), Leonid Bruk (balalaika-contrabass) played a mix of popular, classical and traditional music and songs from Russia and from around the world. Program of performance included Andreev's Waltz, Russian folk song Kamarinskaya, Dr. Zhivago, The Moon Is Shining Brightly, Peddlers, Yablocko, Ural Mountain dance, Angry Husband, Onegin's Name Day Waltz, Russian Tongue Twisters, Mozart Turkish Rondo, Russian Folk Songs Medley, Dark Eyes, Gypsy Roma Medley, Shostakovich Waltz #2, Chardash, Balalaika Medley, Valenki (Felt Boots).
July 25, 2010, Northern Adult Care Center, Brooklyn, NY
On Sunday, July 25th, 2010 Elina Karokhina performed two concerts with New York based guitar player Alexey Efimenko at the Northern Adult Care Center, 1 Prospect Park West, Brooklyn, NY 11215. The program of performance included Russian, Gypsy, Ukrainian and Jewish music as well as several classical pieces.
April 29th, 2010. Balalaika Piano Duo, wedding ceremony in Boston, MA
Balalaika/Piano Duo led by Elina Karokhina provided music for wedding ceremony on April 29th, 2010 in Boston, MA. The music included The Swan (Le Cygne) from Carnival of the Animals by Saint-Saens, "Here Comes The Bride" Wedding March, J.S.Bach - Arioso from Cantata BWV 156 (Adagio), Ave Maria - Schubert, "CANON IN D" by PACHELBEL, WEDDING MARCH by MENDELSSOHN, "CLAIR DE LUNE" by DEBUSSY, and other selections.
April 9, 2010, Toronto, Canada
Friday, April 9th, 2010, Old Mill Inn, 21 Old Mill Road, Toronto, Ontario, M8X 1G5 CANADA, Winter Palace Ball and the Gala Charity Fundraiser benefitting Ruskoka, a summer camp for underprivileged children.
Musicians: Elina Karokhina
(balalaika),
Leonid Bruk
(contrabass balalaika),
Yan Khmel
(bayan),
Mikhail Smirnov
(garmoshka, guitar, vocals),
Valery Abramov (tenor-saxophone), Oleg Sorin (trumpet).
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.
NY Russian Balalaika Trio, Elina Karokhina, Mikhail Smirnov, Leonid Bruk, Garrison, New York, 9-17-2011
