♫ Bayan virtuoso Yan Khmel from Brooklyn, New York

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Bayan (Russian button accordion) virtuoso Yan Khmel is based in Brooklyn, New York.

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.

Barynya performers: Mikhail Smirnov (garmoshka, guitar, vocals), Alex Siniavski (balalaika, Gypsy guitar), Leonid Bruk (balalaika-contrabass), Lev Zabeginsky (balalaika), Yan Khmel (bayan); singers: Alexander Menshikov, Irina Zagornova and Diana Bruk; dancers: Anna Brovkina, Valentina Kvasova, Natalia Ejova, Olga Chpitalnaia, Andrei Kisselev, Ilia Pankratov, Vitaly Verterich and Alexey Maltsev.

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BARYNYA MIDWEST TOUR 2008

Russian dance and music ensemble Barynya midwest tour 2008 started on September 25 in Roseau, MN. Last concert - Monday, November 10, 2008 in Hannibal, MO. 35 full lenght concerts, 3 matinees, view full schedule. List of performers: 6 dancers: Valentina Kvasova, Anna Brovkina, Natia Rtveliashvili, Danila Sherstobitov, Alexander Rudoy, Alexey Maltsev, 3 musicians: Lev Zabeginsky, Yan Khmel, Mikhail Smirnov and singer Alexander Menshikov.

Barynya midwest tour 2008 album 01

Barynya midwest tour 2008 album 02

"Maslenitsa". Nayack, New York, 1999

Bayan virtuoso Yan Khmel with ensemble Barynya during "Maslenitsa" Celebration in Nayack, New York in 1999. On the photo from left to right: singer Irina Zagornova, Yan Khmel, Edik Kutovoi (balalaika) and Leonid Bruk (balalaika contrabass).

Yan Khmel was the professor of bayan, music arrangement and composition in Kiev Chaikovsky State Conservatory of Music in Ukraine.

Yan Khmel with ensemble Barynya.

He made United States home in 1990-th after Soviet Union collapsed.

Yan Khmel with ensemble Barynya in 1996 near The Jefferson Memorial at the Missouri History Museum in Saint Louis, Missouri after the concert. On the photo from left to right: Eduard Kutovoi, Mikhail Smirnov, Olga Chpitalnaia, Yan Khmel, Natalia Demidova, Yuriy Vodolaga and Alexander Menshikov.

In the United States Yan started to perform solo, with his son (violinist Lenny Khmel), and with many different orchestras and bands including Russian dance and music ensemble Barynya, Vasily Romany Gypsy Band, singer Irina Zagornova and many others in New York Tri State area.

Missouri History Museum in St. Louise.

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RELATED LINKS
Bayan - Russian button accordion
Bayan virtuoso Gennady Gutkin from Brooklyn, New York
Russian garmoshka player and singer Mikhail Smirnov from New Jersey
Russian singer, bayanist and actor Vitali Baganov from New York City
Bayan virtuoso Andrey Shelyganov from Moscow, Russia
Bayan virtuoso Victor Danilochkin from New York
Bayanist and singer from San Fransisco, California Nina Tritenichenko
Bayan virtuoso Arkady Pevchin from Chicago, Illinous
Bayan virtuoso Yan Khmel from Brooklyn, New York