On Thursday, November 5th, 2020 dancers and musicians of Russian dance and music ensemble Barynya presented two virtual performances for the students of the Evergreen Elementary School, San Jose, California. Exact address of the school: 3010 Fowler Rd, San Jose, CA 95135. Forty five min program of each assembly included introduction to Russian language, culture, 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. Cast of performers: dancer Konstantin Tulinov, Mikhail Smirnov (garmoshka, guitar, vocals), Elina Karokhina (balalaika), dancer Elena Notkina, dancer Alexander Rudoy, dancer Katsiaryna Mileuskaya,
dancer Zheniya Berdzinishvili, dancer Vladimir Nikitin, dancer Sergey Tsyganok, dancer Veronika Hunko, dancer Valentina Kvasova, dancer Maryia Zhukovich,
dancer Olga Chpitalnaia, dancer Anna Brovkina, dancer Katerina Brovkina, dancer Irina Kl, dancer Ilia Pankratov, dancer Danila Sherstobitov, and dancer Aliaksandr Anatska.
Starting on March 15th, 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic dancers, musicians, and singers of ensemble Barynya are providing virtual concerts for schools, libraries, festivals, and other venues. Performances are live-streamed via Zoom, Facebook Live, YouTube.com, and some other types of media.
Tuesday, December 1st, 2020. Virtual performances for Musical Bridges Around the World "Facebook Live for Giving Tuesday" event
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.
07-30-2020, 2pm. Virtual performance for the Stoughton Public Library in 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".
Monday, July 6th, 2020, 6pm. Virtual performance for public library in Pennsylvania
On Monday, July 6th, 2020 starting at 6pm Russian dance, song and music ensemble Barynya presented one hour concert for a public library in Penssylvania. Program was broadcast via Zoom Application, FaceBook Live and on YouTube website. About 150 people watched the performance. Dancer Konstantin Tulinov, siner and Russian garmoshka player Mikhail Smirnov, balalaika virtuoso Elina Karokhina, dancer Elena Notkina were in the cast of Barynya ensemble on that day. Mikhail Smirnov (Artistic director and founder of ensemble Barynya) provided explanation about songs, dances, costumes and Russian culture before each number of the show.
Monday, June 20, 2020, 6pm. Virtual performances at Westmoreland Library Network, Pennsylvania
Monday, June 22nd, 6pm. World-renowned Russian dance and music ensemble returned to Westmoreland Library Network with more dancing, songs, and music. Barynya presented 1 hour performance titled “BARYNYA. From Russia With Love. Music, songs, and dances of old Russia”. Program included 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. Cast of performers: dancer Konstantin Tulinov, Mikhail Smirnov (garmoshka), Elina Karokhina (balalaika), dancer Elena Notkina.
On Friday, June 12th, 2020 from 7pm-8pm ensemble Barynya performed virtual Russian dance, song, and music show featuring dancer Konstantin Tulinov, dancer Elena Notkina, balalaika virtuoso Elina Karokhina, and Mikhail Smirnov (vocals, garmoshka, guitar) for Sheepshead Bay library, one of the branches of Brooklyn Public Library. Concert was broadcast live via YouTube, FaceBook Live and Zoom meeting application. Program of performance included Russian Tongue Twister, Russian folk dance "Barynya", Russian Jewish wedding dance with the candle, Russian folksong "The Peddlers" (Korobeiniki), Don River Cossacks dance "By The Field" (Pree Luzhke), "The Moon Is Shining Brightly" (Svetit Meysiats) with the introduction to Russian folk instrument Balalaika-Contrabass, National dance of Tatar people from Kazan' region of Tatarstan, world famous "Bottle dance", Jewish wedding dance from "The Fiddler On The Roof", Russian folk song "Valenki" (Felt Woolen Boots), balalaika solo Elina Karokhina, "The Snowstorm" (Metelitsa), Russian Khorovod dance, Russian folk song "Kamarinskaiya" (instrumental, balalaika solo Elina Karokhina), Ukrainian folk dance and song "Pidmanula" (You Tricked Me), Aram Khachaturian's "Sabre Dance" (instrumental, balalaika solo Elina Karokhina), Moldavian traditional dance "Hora Jog", Russian Gypsy dance "Mardzhandzha" (Dance, Dzhandzha), Russian folk dance "Kalinka", and other selections.
Musical Bridges Around the World produced a virtual Kids to Concerts Assembly for 46 participating schools to end the spring semester. Mayor of San Antonio, Texas Ron Nirenberg introduced the concert and local teachers welcomed their students. Ensemble Barynya presented a colorful performance with Russian music, dance, instruments, and culture! Cast of ensemble Barynya included dancer Konstantin Tulinov, dancer Elina Notkina, balalaika virtuoso Elina Karokhina, and artistic director Mikhail Smirnov (garmoshka, guitar, vocals). A live Q&A session with Barynya, schoolchildren and their teachers followed the performance.
"I just want to say that the Live Streaming turned out great! That was a great idea and my students loved it!"
-Mrs. Garcia, Palo Alto Elementary
"The performance today was absolutely FANTASTIC! It was incredibly well done, and just a wonderful way to spend the afternoon."
-Ms. Short, Bulverde Creek Elementary
"Thank you for putting together the virtual concert! The program was great. I'm glad I could share this resource with my kids."
-Mr. Phillips, Murnin Elementary
Program of ensemble Barynya performance
01. Mikhail Smirnov introduces the Barynya concert
01a. Introduction for Russian folk dance "Barynya"
01b. "Barynya" Russian dance
02. Introduction to Russian folk instrument "Balalaika" with song "Angry Husband"
03. Introduction to Jewish Candle Dance
03a. Jewish Wedding dance with the Candle
04. Introduction to Garmoshka - Russian Accordion with Russian folksong "The Peddlers"
05. Introduction to Cossack Dance
05a. Don River Cossacks dance "By The Field"
06. Introduction to Russian folk instrument Balalaika-Contrabass with the song "The Moon Is Shining Brightly"
07. Introduction to Tatar dance
07a. "Kubaliak", national dance of Tatar people from Kazan' region of Tatarstan (part of Russia)
08. Russian Tongue Twister "Natalia" performed by Mikhail Smirnov
09. Introduction to the Bottle dance
09a. "Bottle dance" - world famous Jewish Bottle Dance from "The Fiddler On The Roof"
10. Introduction to Valenki, Russian folk song.
"Valenki" (Felt Boots or Woolen Boots) - instrumental, balalaika solo Elina Karokhina
11. Introduction to "The Snowstorm" dance
11a. "The Snowstorm" (Metelitsa), Russian Khorovod dance
12. Introduction to "Kamarinskaiya"
12a. "Kamarinskaiya" - instrumental, balalaika solo Elina Karokhina
13. Introduction to "Pidmanula" (Ukrainian)
13a. Ukrainian folk dance and song "Pidmanula" (You Tricked Me)
14. Introduction to "Sabre Dance"
14a. Khachaturian's "Sabre Dance" - instrumental, balalaika solo Elina Karokhina
15. Introduction to Moldavian dance "Hora Jog"
15a. "Hora Jog", Moldavian traditional dance
Russian music, dance and song ensemble Barynya, established in the year 1991, is a world renowned group that enjoys exalting stature as the premier Russian folk ensemble. Under direction of artistic director/founder Mikhail Smirnov ensemble Barynya has become the most requested Russian dance and music show outside of Mother Russia. Most recent tours of Barynya include United Arab Emirates, Canada, Lithuania, Hong Kong, Australia, Great Britain, Mexico. Barynya presents Russian, Cossack, Ukrainian, Roma Gypsy, Jewish, Tatar, Siberian Nanai traditional dancing, music, songs, and virtuoso performances on instruments including the balalaika, balalaika-contrabass, garmoshka (Russian folk button accordion). Barynya has been invited to perform at some of the most prestigious cultural venues in the United States, including Carnegie Hall in New York City, the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, the Smithsonian Institute of America in Washington D.C., the United Nations in New York, and the Russian Embassy in Washington D.C. Barynya is globally recognized and boasts an impressive client roster of dignitaries, politicians, celebrities and organizations from around the world. In October 2019 ensemble Barynya was hired to perform during Russia's Week at the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi. In 2008 company performed at the black-tie Gala after the Liberty Medal was presented to former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev by President George H.W. Bush. 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. 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".
