Balalaika virtuoso Elina Karokhina performed 45 min concert with folk dancer and Russian folk singer for students at one of the private schools on Staten Island, New York on Friday, May 16th, 2025. Trio performed a medley of traditional Russian folk songs, dances, and music.
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
"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
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.
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
Performance with Atlanta Balalaika Orchestra
Saturday, October 20th, 2018, 7:30 pm. Balalaika Trio with Atlanta Balalaika Orchestra led by David Cooper in concert titled "An Evening of Music and Song From Slavic Lands" at the Avondale First Baptist Church, 27 Covington Road, Avondale Estates, GA 30002. "Vinyat Menya V Narodye" (Винят меня в народе) arrangement Alexander Shalov
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.
10-22-2024. New York Police Department Headquarers, New York City
Ensemble Barynya was the main performer during Eastern European Heritage Night, sponsored by the Russian American Officers Association (RAOA). The event took place at NYPD Headquarters at One Police Plaza on October 22, 2024. The evening featured performances by Barynya and Pesvebi, delicious food, and guest speakers.
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.
May 6, 2023, 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.
May 29, 2023, 1 hour 40 min show at the Shine in Harlem, NYC
2021-12-02, Barynya live every Thursday night at the 3BR Distillery in Keyport, New Jersey
Every Thursday night from 7pm to 10pm musicians of Barynya ensemble Mikhail Smirnov (guitar, vocals) and Elina Karokhina (balalaika) are playing at the 3BR Distillery in Keyport, New Jersey. Exact address of the venue: 3BR Distillery, 7 Main Street, Keyport, New Jersey 07735.
December 1, 2020. Virtual performance for 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.
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
March 4th, 2015. School assembly show at the Washington Hebrew Congregation, Washington, D.C.
Russian dance and music balalaika duo {Elina Karokhina and Mikhail Smirnov} performed 45 min program for kids at the Washington Hebrew Congregation, 3935 Macomb St., NW, Washington, DC 20016 on Wednesday, March 4th, 2015. The program of the performance included Siberian Nanai wrestling dance "Bor'ba Nanaiskikh Malchikov", Russian folk song "Kalinka", Russian dance "Metelitsa" (The Snowstorm), Russian Medley "Angry Husband" and "Felt Boots" (balalaika solo, instrumental), Russian tongue-twisters, Russian Jewish wedding dance, Russian Alphabet lesson, Russian Gypsy song and dance "Dark Eyes", Russian percussion band plays "The Peddlers", Russian dance workshop, "Chardash" (balalaika solo. instrumental), Russian Bear dance.
November 19, 2014. Event honoring Karen Shakhnzazrov, National Geographic Building, Washington, D.C.
Singers, dancers and musicians of Barynya ensemble provided entertainment for VIP event honoring Soviet and Russian filmmaker, producer and screenwriter Karen Shakhnzazrov at the National Geographic Building in Washington, D.C. on November 19th, 2014. Barynya cast: (dancers) Danila Sherstobitov, Alexander Rudoy, Alex Anatska, Andrei Kisselev, Yana Volkova, Anna Zineno, Anna Brovkina, Olga Yeliseyeva, (musicians) Leonid Bruk, Elina Karokhina, Andrei Saveliev, Gennady Gutkin, Michael Seropyan, Jack Sheynin, Sasha Ratmansky, (singers) Irina Zagornova, Alexander Menshikov.
Singers, dancers and musicians of Barynya ensemble
December 7, 2013. Mahwah, New Jersey, Bergen County
Elina Karokhina (balalaika) and Mikhail Smirnov (guitar, vocals) provided Gypsy music, songs and entertainment (fun trivia) during Russian-Gypsy style Birthday party celebration in Northern New Jersey (Mahwah, NJ, Bergen County) on Saturday evening, December 7th, 2013.
August 25th, 2012. Russian-American wedding at the Park Hyatt Washington, Washington D.C.
Mixed Russian-American wedding took place at the Park Hyatt Washington, 1201 24th Street, NW, Washington D.C. 20037 on Saturday, August 25th, 2012. Mikhail Smirnov and Elina Karokhina provided DJ and MC-tamada services, wedding ceremony and live music performance.
March 2012. Several school assembly concerts in Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia and Baltimore area
Russian dance, song and music ensemble Barynya performed a series of school assembly concerts in schools in Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia and Baltimore area. Video (below) was recorded on March 23rd, 2012 at the Maret Middle School, 3000 Cathedral Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20008. Cast: singer Alexander Menshikov, Mikhail Smirnov (garmoshka, guitar, vocals), balalaika virtuoso Elina Karokhina, dancers Anya Zeenenko and Boulat Moukhametov. The program of the performance included "Russian Bear dance", Dance of Russian Sailors, "Barynya", "Kalinka", Ukrainian "Hopak", Jewish wedding dance "Mazel Tov" from Odessa region of Ukraine, traditional songs "Dark Eyes", "Along The Piterskaya", Russian Tongue Twisters, and virtuoso balalaika performances.
November 28, 2011. Nyack's Blini, Holy Virgin Protection Russian Orthodox Church
It is always fun to play during Bliny Russian Maslenitsa Pancakes Event in Nayck, New York. This colorful Russian Orthodox Event takes place every year at the Holy Virgin Protection Russian Orthodox Church located at 51 Prospect St, Nyack, NY 10960. On November 28, 2011 Musicians of Barynya Balalaika Duo played mix of Russian, Cossack and Gypsy music and songs as well as some classical pieces.
October 29, 2011. Temple Israel, JCC of the Greater Five Towns, Lawrence, NY
On Saturday, October 29th, 2011, from 8:30pm to 9:45 members of Barynya Balalaika Duo Mikhail Smirnov & Elina Karokhina provided music during Jewish event at the Temple Israel on Long Island. Exact address: JCC of the Greater Five Towns, 140 Central Avenue, Lawrence, New York 11559. Program included Jewish Klezmer music as well as Russian, classical and contemporary pieces.
