Barynya Balalaika Trio - Elina Karokhina, Mikhail Smirnov, Leonid Bruk with singer Irina Zagornova

Contact information: cell/text: (201)-981-2497 | email msmirnov@yahoo.com

ABOUT IRINA ZAGORNOVA

Russian folk singer Irina Zagornova from Brooklyn, New York was born in Samara, Russia. In 1985 she graduated with high honors from the Musorgsky College of Music in St. Petersburg, where she studied folk singing and classical piano. In her career Irina has performed as featured artist with varios ensembles throughout the world.
1986 -1993 Lenkoncert, soloist, St.Petersburg, Russia.
1990 - Competition "The Best Voices of Russia", Smolensk.
1994 - United States tour with group "Russian Tornado" and Manheim Steamroller. She shared the stage with her 5-year old daughter and fellow singer Diana
1996 - Irina founded children's folk group "The Golden Rooster".
1997 - a role in the movie "Taxman".
2000 - Irina foinded trio "Sudarushka"
1993 - present - vocal and piano teacher
2007 - trio "Sudarushka" performed in 1st International Festival in Moscow
2005 - present President of Rissan Folklore Program in RACH organization.
Concert appearances:
Petrushka Russian Nobility Ball 1998
NYU 1998
Russian World Gallery 1998
Welcome Back to Brooklyn 1998
Wagner Studio 1998
United Nations (Annual Award Dinner of the UNCA) 1998
Town Hall : "La Molinara","Iolanta" 1999
Children's Museum of New York 1999
Women's World Silver Cup 1999
Russian Embassy 2000, 2002
SAKS Fifth Ave (Window Display Opening) 2002
Carnegie Hall (Kids Will Save The World) 2003
Festivals (NYANA,HIAS,International Festival of Young Talents,Morning Srar in America etc) 2001-2005

ABOUT ELINA KAROKHINA

Balalaika virtuoso Elina Karokhina was born in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg), Russia. She began her formal training at the Mussorgsky Music College of St. Petersburg and continued her training at N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov Saint Petersburg State Conservatory, earning a degree as an Orchestra Soloist. She continued her training at the Conservatory, which included a brief residency in Germany. After, she returned to her native St. Petersburg and completed her education, earning a Doctor of Musical Art degree in the Balalaika. Following her graduation, she began working as a musician, both as a teacher and as a performer, teaching balalaika. Elina Karokhina served in the Russian Army in the Military Ensemble in the Northwest Order of Red Stars. As a balalaika soloist Elina has toured all over the world. When she moved to the United States in 2009 she was hired as a musicial director and soloist with the biggest professional Russian music, song and dance ensemble Barynya (New York). In January 2015 Elina Karokhina was selected to perform the balalaika part with Mariinsky Theatre directed by famous Russian conductor Valery Gergiev in Rodion Shchedrin's opera "The Enchanted Wanderer" at the Howard Gilman Opera House in Brooklyn, New York. In May 2016 she was hired to play six concerts at the Carnegie Hall in New York City as a part of "The Orchestra Rocks" international event. In September 2016 he appeared at the Carnegie Hall again as a part of "Moscow Gypsy Army" representing rich musical culture of Eastern Europian Roma people. In January 2017 Elina was hired to play Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's "The Legend of the Invisible City of Kitezh" Suite at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. with the National Symphony Orchestra. All four performances were under direction of world-famous conductor Sir Mark Elder. Recently Elina was invited to perform as a Honored Guest Artist at the Balalaika and Domra Association of America 40th Jubilee Convention in Philadelphia.

ABOUT LEONID BRUK

Acclaimed New York based balalaika contrabass player Leonid Bruk from Brooklyn, New York (Russian: Леонид Брук) was born in Leningrad, Russia. Leonid graduated from music school as a bass guitarist and performed with many different groups. He 1998 he joined Russian dance and music ensemble Barynya. In 2000 he founded his own Russian folk music trio "BROOKLYN BALALAIKAS". Since 1989 when he arrived to USA, Leonid Bruk was deeply attracted to the bass-balalaika and contrabass balalaika. He has played with variuos folk groups including Russian folk band and New York Balalaika Orchestra and soon become known expert in Russian folk music. His specialty is playing balalaika-bass and balalaika-contrabass.

ABOUT MIKHAIL SMIRNOV

Mikhail Smirnov was born in Moscow, Russia. Mikhail is an artistic director and founder of ensemble Barynya based in New York City, author of many articles about traditional Russian dance, music and instruments in English and Russian. Mikhail received his Master's degree from the Moscow State University of Culture and Arts. As a child, he was a member of the famous "Moscow Boys Chorus" - one of the most prestigious all-male choirs in Russia. Before coming to the United States in 1991, Mikhail was a soloist in a several Russian folk dance and music groups including the Moscow State Center for Russian song, "Russkaya Pesnya", under the direction of Nadezhda Babkina. In January 2009 Mikhail Smirnov and dancers of ensemble Barynya were featured on national TV, NBC's "SUPERSTARS OF DANCE" - breathtaking international dance competition led by executive producers Nigel Lythgoe and Simon Fuller (American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance). This prestigious dance competition hosted by Michael Flatley ("Lord of the Dance") and Susie Castillo, a former Miss USA. Mikhail Smirnov was one of eight judges to decide which country will win. The show premiered on NBC network. Ensemble Barynya is a world renowned group that enjoys exalting stature as the premier Russian folk ensemble outside of Russia. Under direction of Mr. Smirnov ensemble Barynya has become the most requested Russian dance and music show outside of Mother Russia.

Contact information: cell/text: (201)-981-2497 | email msmirnov@yahoo.com