Members of ensemble Barynya Elina Karokhina (balalaika), Mikhail Smirnov (guitar, garmoshka, vocals), dancer Serhiy Tsyganok provided 1 hour performance on Tuesday, April 3rd, 2018 at the Park Plaza Jewish Senior Living Community, 6840 North Sacramento Ave, Chicago, IL 60645.
Park Plaza Jewish Senior Living Community, Chicago, IL, Mikhail Smirnov, Elina Karokhina, Serhiy Tsyganok
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 TRIUMPH OF HOPE" 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 that will be taking place in Philadelphia in July 2018.
The program of performance included Russian folk song Saturday Affair (ÃÀÐÌÎØÊÀ ÑÓÁÁÎÒÅß), Russian folk dance BARYNYA (Áàðûíÿ)
, Russian folk song and dance The Snowstorm (ÌÅÒÅËÈÖÀ), Balalaika solo DR. ZHIVAGO
, Russian folk dance Kamarinslkaya (ÊÀÌÀÐÈÍÑÊÀß), COSSACK DANCE, balalaika solo DURAND WALTZ, Jewish wedding dance with candle (ÑÂÅ×ÊÀ), FIDDLER ON THE ROOF music medley, Ukrainian folk song and dance You Tricked Me (PIDMANULA), Russian Tongue-Twister (ÑÊÎÐÎÃÎÂÎÐÊÀ),
Russian-Jewish instrumental medley HAVA NAGILA, 7-40, VALENKI, Russian Gypsy Roma song and dance "DARK EYES", Russian folk song "Peddlers" (KOROBUSHKA), BOTTLE DANCE, WORLD MUSIC MEDLEY
, Russian folk song and dance "KALINKA".
CONTACT INFORMATION
To get the price quote, ask any questions please email to msmirnov@yahoo.com or call (201) 981-2497.
Ukrainian dancer Sergey Tshnok was born in L'viv, Ukraine in 1982. He started dancing with kids' folk dance ensemble "Iskorka" under direction of his mother Liliya Yurievna Tsyganok. In 1996 he started dancing with teens' traditional Ukrainian dancer troupe "Karpaty" under direction of Honored Artist of Ukraine Mihailo Vanivsky. From 1997 through 2002 he stadied dancing and choreography at the L'viv State College of The Culture and Arts. Graduated in 2002. At the same time as he was a student at the L'viv State College of The Culture and Arts he was dancing with Jewish Dance Ensemble "MAZAL TOV" and Polish Dance Troupe "L'vovyatsy". With "MAZAL TOV" and "L'VOVYATSY" groups Serhiy performed locally in Ukraine, and internationally. In 2003 he graduated with Diploma of completion special training in Polish Traditional dancing from Lyublin's University of Maria Skladovsky in Poland. In 2003 Serhiy joined dance troupe to work 18 months contract with the show Sharm L Sheikh in Egypt. In 2006-2012 he was performing with various dance projects in Turkey, Israel and Dubai. In 2013 he started working as a dancer on cruise ships all over the world. In the summer 2014 Serhiy made his home in the United States of America. He started working with various Ukrainian groups, dance and music ensemble Barynya, Moscow Gypsy Army, Can-Can Cabaret Dance Show, and others. Serhiy speaks Ukrainian, Russian, Polish, and English.
Mikhail Smirnov was born in Moscow, Russia in 1966. He has been in the business of Russian folk dance and music for more than 25 years. 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.
Male Cossack dancers of ensemble Barynya provided four top energy Cossack dance performances with amazing tricks, high jumps, knee-bending Kozatsky moves during SABOTAGE SHOW at NJPAC on April 2nd and April 3rd, 2018. NJPAC or New Jersey Performing Arts Center is one of the largest performing art centers in the United States. Exact address: 1 Center St, Newark, NJ 07102. Cast of dancers included best Cossack dancers: Andrei Kisselev, Aliaksandr Anatska, Danila Sherstobitov, Konstantin Tulinov, and Vladimir Nikitin.
Russian wedding at the Tirnanog, Lake Villa, Illinois
Russian DJ Barnaul, balalaika virtuoso Elina Karokhina and MC-Tamada Mikhail Smirnov provided music and entertainment for the wedding at The Tirnanog, 38276 North Deep Lake Road, Lake Villa, IL 60046 on Friday, September 3rd, 2010.
Mixed Russian-American wedding took place on Saturday, July 21st, 2012 at the Astoria restaurant and Catering Hall, 1375 West Dundee Road, Buffalo Grove, IL 60089 (Chicago, Illinois, USA). Bilingual (English-Russian) MC-Tamada Mikhail and DJ Natasha provided music and entertainment. The scenario of the wedding included ceremony, coctail hour, grand entrance, Russian traditional Velichalnaia song, toasts from mother of the bride, maid of honor, best man, first dance of the Groom and Bride, 4 sets of dancing, number of funny wedding games and competitions including "Find Your Husband", "Find Your Wife", "Mind-Reading Game", "Ransom for the Bride", "Garter", "Bouquet Tossing", "Cutting the Cake", and others.
Multicultural school assembly at the Patton Elementary School, Arlington Heights, IL
Russian song, dance and music ensemble Barynya performed in Arlington Heights, Illinois on March 14th, 2014. Multicultural school assembly program took place at the Patton Elementary School, 1616 N Patton Ave, Arlington Heights, IL 60004. Students and teachers spent 45 minutes of their Friday morning learning about Russian culture through songs, music, dance and language. Artistic director/founder Mikhail Smirnov played the garmoshka, a Russian-style diatonic button accordion and guitar. Elina Karokhina played balalaika, dances were performed by Alisher.
Ensemble Barynya concert at the Wilson Hall at Fermilab in Batavia, Illinois
Russian dance, song, and music ensemble Barynya performed a concert on Saturday, April 20th, 2013 for Fermilab Arts & Lecture Series in Batavia, IL 60510. The show took place at the Ramsey Auditorium (inside the Wilson Hall) at Fermilab (Wilson and Kirk Roads, Batavia, IL 60510-5011). Cast of performers: Sherstobitov, Kvasova, Chpitalnaia, Karokhina, Kisselev, Loginov, violin player, keyboard player, ballet dancer Elena.
Several concerts for schools and libraries in Chicago sponsored by Russian beverage company
Russian Federation based beverage company sponsored several concerts of ensemble Barynya in schools, colleges and adult care centers. Some of the show took place at Des Plaines Public library, Hunting Ridge Elementary School, Booth Tarkington Elementary School, Holy Cross Elementary School, Devonshire Elementary School, Highland Elementary School, Edgar Allan Poe Elementary School, and other places.
Multicultural school assemblies in Medinah, Illinois
Russian song, dance and music ensemble Barynya performed in Medinah, Illinois on March 17th, 2014. Multicultural school assembly programs took places at the Medinah Intermediate School, (7 N 330 Medinah Rd, Medinah, IL 60157), and Medinah Primary School, (22 W 300 Sunnyside Rd, Medinah, IL 60157). Students and teachers spent 45 minutes of their time on Monday learning about Russian culture through songs, music, dance and language. Artistic director/founder Mikhail Smirnov played the garmoshka, a Russian-style diatonic button accordion and guitar. Dancer Alisch presented Russian, Gypsy, Cossack, Andizhan, Jewish Wedding Bottle dance, and the dance of "Russian Bear". Musical director of the group Elina Karokhina played the balalaika, a three-stringed, triangular instrument, performed Russian folk dance "Metelitsa" (The Snowstorm, Russian: «Ìåòåëèöà»), Russian Gypsy Roma dance "Kay One" ("Where Are They"), and Russian traditional dance "Kalinka" (Russian: «Êàëèíêà»).
Thursday Night Out World Music Concert Series in Downtown Oak Park
Trio Barynya performed on Thursday, July 09, 2015, from 7 to 9pm at the Downtown Oak Park, 1010 Lake Street, Oak Park, Illinois during the Thursday Night Out World Music Concert Series in Downtown Oak Park, www.downtownoakpark.net. Barynya Balalaika Trio cast: Leonid Bruk (balalaika-contrabass), Elina Karokhina ( balalaika), Mikhail Smirnov (guitar, garmoshka, vocals) presented two hours performance that included Russian, Cossack, Siberian, Gypsy, Ukrainian, Jewish music and songs, and also classical and popular repertoire.
Multicultural school assembly at the Jefferson Elementary School, Princeton, IL
Russian song, dance and music ensemble Barynya performed in Princeton, Illinois on March 19th, 2014. Multicultural school assembly program took place at the Jefferson Elementary School, 724 W. Putnam, Princeton, IL 61356. Students and teachers spent 45 minutes of their Wednesday afternoon learning about Russian culture through songs, music, dance and language. Artistic director/founder Mikhail Smirnov played the garmoshka, a Russian-style diatonic button accordion and guitar. Dancer Alisch presented Russian, Gypsy, Cossack, Andizhan, Jewish Wedding Bottle dance, and the dance of "Russian Bear". Musical director of the group Elina Karokhina played the balalaika, a three-stringed, triangular instrument, performed Russian folk dance "Metelitsa" (The Snowstorm, Russian: «Ìåòåëèöà»), Russian Gypsy Roma dance "Kay One" ("Where Are They"), and Russian traditional dance "Kalinka" (Russian: «Êàëèíêà»).
Russian wedding at the Russian Tea Time restaurant in Chicago
Mikhail Smirnov provided DJ and MC tamada services as well as dancers of Barynya ensemble to entertain guests of mixed Russian-American wedding at the Russian Tea Time restaurant in Chicago on Saturday, September 10th, 2011.
Multicultural school assemblies in Quincy, Illinois
Russian song, dance and music ensemble Barynya performed several shows in schools of Quincy, Illinois in March 2014. Performances took place at St.Francis Solanus School (1720 College Ave, Quincy, IL 62301), St. Dominic School (4100 Columbus Rd, Quincy, IL 62305), and Blessed Sacrament School (1115 S. 7th Street, Quincy, IL 62301).
Public performance - Saturday, April 9th, 2022, 3pm at the Norfolk Library, Norfolk Historic District, Connecticut
One hour show titled "CELEBRATING UKRAINE" of traditional Ukrainian dancing and music presented by Ukrainian Dancers USA (www.cossack.us) and Nadiya Ukrainian Dancers of New Jersey. The show will take place at a beautiful Great Hall with wooden floors and a cathedral ceiling of the Norfolk Library located at 9 Greenwoods Rd E., Norfolk Historic District, CT 06058. At least eight dancers and musicians will be performing.
