Singer Irina Zagornova (Russian: Ирина Загорнова) is a native of Samara, Russia. She graduated with high level honors from the Musorgsky College of Russian music in St. Petersburg (Russian folk singing, classical piano). Irina is the only one professionally trained actively performing singer in New York area who learned Russian traditional folk singing.
Photos by Yuriy Balan, Queens, New York, October 13th, 2018
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.
On Wednesday, October 2nd, 2019, from 7 to 8pm members of New York Russian Balalaika Trio Leonid Bruk (balalaika contrabass), Elina Karokhina (balalaika), Mikhail Smirnov (garmoshka), and and folk singer Irina Zagornova performed during kid's party in downtown Manhattan. The program of performance included Russian dance workshop, interactive games, Russian music and songs.
08-16-2019. Upper West Side Manhattan. Private party.
On Friday, August 16th, 2019 balalaika virtuoso Elina Karokhina, folk singer Irina Zagornova, garmoshka player Mikhail Smirnov and contrabass balalalaika player Leonid Bruk performed mix of Russian, Cossack, Ukrainian, and Gypsy songs during private party in Manhattan's Upper West Side. Exact address: 310 West 72nd Street, apt 2c, New York City, NY.
10-13-2018. 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 dancer Vladimir Nikitin, singer Irina Zagornova, contrabass balalaika player Leonid Bruk, dancer, choreographer, singer Valentina Kvasova, dancer Alexander Rudoy, dancer/singer Simona Zhukovski, dancer Serhiy Tsyganok, dancer Irina Biryukova, dancer Konstantin Tulinov, dancer Olga Yeliseyeva, dancer Olga Chpitalnaia, dancer Ilia Pankratov, dancer Alisa Egorova, balalaika virtuoso Elina Karokhina, and artistic director, singer, garmoshka, and guitar player Mikhail Smirnov.
01-13-2018. New York Hilton Midtown, New York, NY. APAP showcase.
Saturday, January 13th, 2018, 8:40pm. APAP (Association of Performing Arts Professionals) showcase in NYC. New York Hilton Midtown, Regent Parlor 2nd Floor, 1335 Avenue of The Americas, New York, NY 10019. Cast: Vladimir Nikitin, Konstantin Tulinov, Dinara Subaeva, Valentina Kvasova, Alisa Egorova, Elina Karokhina, Irina Zagornova, Mikhail Smirnov, Leonid Bruk.
On Saturday, December 12th, 2015 Barynya Balalaika Trio, singer Irina Zagornova, dancers Olga Chpitalnaia, Valentina Kvasova, A.Lapidas, Iliya Pankratov performed a show at popular Russian restaurant Romanoff in Brooklyn, New York. Exact address: 2670 Coney Island Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11235.
02-28-2015. Polish Community Center, Albany New York
Saturday, February 28, 2015, 12:45pm – 1:30pm, 2:45pm – 3:30pm, 4:05pm – 4:50pm. 3 performances at the Polish Community Center, 225 Washington Avenue Extension, Albany, New York 12205. New Russia Cultural Center's Russian festival. Cast: Andrei Kisselev (dancer), Yana Volkova (dancer), Irina Zagornova (singer), Leonid Bruk, Elina Karokhina, Mikhail Smirnov.
09-21-2014. St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral & Church of Our Lady of Tikhvin in Howell, NJ
On Sunday, September 21st, 2014 Barynya Balalaika Trio (Leonid Bruk, , Mikhail Smirnov, Elina Karokhina) and folk singer Irina Zagornova performed at the Russianfest on the grounds of St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral & Church of Our Lady of Tikhvin, 200 Alexander Avenue, Howell, New Jersey 07731.
08-30-2013. Kislak Camp, Lakewood, Wayne County, Pennsylvania
Friday, August 30th, 2013. 1 hour performance at the Kislak Camp, 119 Woods Rd, Lakewood, PA 18439. Leonid Bruk, Mikhail Smirnov, Elina Karokhina, Irina Zagornova.
Wednesday, July 10th through Sunday, July 14th, 2013 musicians of Barynya Balalaika trio (Elina Karokhina, Mikhail Smirnov, Leonid Bruk) and Russian folk singer Irina Zagornova performed during the Balalaika and Domra Association of America (BDAA) 35th Annual Convention in Sarasota, Florida.
11-13-2011. Free public performance, Community Library, Shirley, New York
Two dancers, two singers, and two musicians performed one hour show at the Community Library in Shirley, New York on Sunday, November 13th, 2011. Performance started at 2pm. Cast of performers: Aliaksandr Anatska (dancer), Valentina Kvasova (dancer), Leonid Bruk (balalaika-contrabass), Irina Zagornova (singer), Sergey Pobedinsky (singer, guitar player), Yan Khmel (button accordion). Exact address of the venue: Community Library Friends of the Arts, Inc. 407 William Floyd Parkway, Shirley, NY 11967.
It has been the first time in 2010 when singers Irina Zagornova (soprano) performed with Barynya during the same concert. Elina Karokhina (balalaika) and Leonid Bruk (balalaika-contrabass) have played a new arrangement of the Sailors dance for balalaika and balalaika-contrabass. Video Alisa Yegorova, video editing L.Bruk. Photos by L.Bruk and I. Fridman. See all photos and videos from this concert here.
Performance at the Russian Consulate NYC with singer Sergey Pobedinskiy, violinist virtuoso Valery Zhmud, famous Russian singer Baskov, and contrbass balalaika player Leonid Bruk.
10-04-2009. Van Nostrand Theatre, Suffolk College, Brentwood, New York
Cast: Mikhail Smirnov (vocals, garmoshka), Alexander Menshikov (vocals), Lev Zabeginsky (balalaika), Leonid Bruk (balalaika-contrabass), Roman Ivanoff (percussions), Serge Rogozin (balalaika), Yan Khmel (bayan), Irina Zagornova (vocals), Kagarov sisters (vocals), Dancers: Alexey Maltsev, Danila Sherstobitov, Aliaksandr Anatska, Alexander Rudoy, Valentina Kvasova, Olga Chpitalnaia, Ksenya Hentisz, Olga Yeliseyeva.
09-18-2008. Mikhail Gorbachev's Liberty Medal Award Gala, 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 located at 525 Arch St. on Philadelphia’s Independence Mall... letter of recommendation.
Eight Barynya dancers, four musicians and three singers entertained a black-tie dinner for more than 1,000 guests. Audience included 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. 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.
Irina was studied folk singing and classical piano. She has performed
as a featured artist with various ensembles in Russia, USA, Denmark, Germany, Yugoslavia
and many other countries.
"There is no grief" ("Shto Nam Gore") video sample
As an expert in Russian musical folklore, Irina
sings in the authentic Russian "open-throat" style characteristic of Russian
Folk Singing and has collected material on several expeditions throughout Russia.
Russian folk singer Irina Zagornova at Russian Cabaret "Moscow"
with Russian-Gypsy folk dance and music Ensemble
New York City, New York, USA
Her ebullient personality and dynamic stage presence are exceptionally well-suited to the
playful manner in which these humorous love songs are traditionally performed.
Irina Zagornova has particularly excelled in the genre known as chastushki, or ditties.
Russian folk singer Irina Zagornova is performing
famous traditional Russian romance "There is no grief"
Maslenitsa - Russian Pancake Feast
Nyack, New York State
As the Independent of London described one of
Irina's resent performances, "There was no ignoring Irina. She heralled her
entry on the stage with sudden high yelp...and there she is...warbling and tap dancing
with merry abandon to the joyful strains of her bayan accompanist. Irina has us all
spellbound.
Russian folk singer Irina Zagornova at Russian Cabaret "Moscow"
with Russian-Gypsy folk dance and music Ensemble
New York City, New York, USA
Most recently, Ms. Zagornova toured the US with the group"Russian Tornado" and Mannheim Steamroller. As always, she shared
the stage with her daughter and fellow singer Diana.
Russian folk singer Irina Zagornova is performing
famous traditional Russian romance "There is no grief"
Maslenitsa - Russian Pancake Feast
Nyack, New York State
Her repertoire includes dances, musical games
and folk rituals as well as the best-known Russian folk songs. Irina Zagornova and
her group, Slavic Echoes, is available for concerts, festivals, as private functions.
Russian folk singer Irina Zagornova,
Russian folk duo Misha and Natasha from Russia
performing Russian folk songs
Kalilnka, Katyusha, Moscow Nights
New York City, New York, USA
Contact information: email msmirnov@yahoo.com, phone/text (201) 981-2497
Barynya Entertainment established in 1991 (on-line since 1998). Cabaret, Vegas, can-can, musicians, singers, masters of ceremonies, folk dancers, wedding bands, disc jockeys, jazz, storytellers, folk dance troupes, traditional music ensembles, Bellydancers, Jewish, Ukrainian, Gypsy, one-man-bands.
Ensemble 
