The Balalaika and Domra Association of America 2006 photos

Russian folk singer Alexander Menshikov and Mikhail Smirnov from the Russian folk dance and music ensemble Barynya from Brooklyn, New York at the 2006 Balalaika and Domra Association of America convention in Akron, Ohio.

CUYAHOGA FALLS/ KENT — The Balalaika & Domra Association of America, in conjunction with the St. Nicholas Balalaika Orchestra, presented annual convention and gala concert, A Festival of Russian Music

Singer Alexander Menshikov, Mikhail Smirnov (guitar), Greg Harbar (accordion), Monty Ellman (alto domra) and Andy King (contrabass balalaika) are playing at the Kent State University auditorium before the big concert.

During the week of July 9-16, more than 160 the convention's attendees from the United States, Canada, Western Europe and Russia gathered at the Sheraton Suites in Cuyahoga Falls to rehearse for a gala concert that took place at the Kent State University auditorium on July 15, 2006

Artistic Director of the Washington Balalaika Society Orchestra Svetlana Nikonova, Tamara and Sasha Menshikov

The concert included appearances by balalaika ensembles from cities throughout the United States

The concert also included solo appearances by balalaika, domra and bayan artists from the United States, England and Russia

The highlight of the concert was a 100-piece balalaika orchestra conducted by Victor Gorodinsky, from Madison, Wis.

The convention and concert program include internationally renowned artists Tamara Volskaya, Andrei Saveliev, Bibs Ekkel and Great American Gypsies.

BDAA 2006 conference attendees participated in Russian, Ukrainian, Gypsy songs, dances and lessons.

Some sessions promoted cultural insight, such as painting classes for pysanky eggs and Matryoshka dolls.

Russian chorus is performing Belgorod's region Russian folk song "Paranya" before the "zakuski"

Sasha Menshikov and Mikhail Smirnov are performing Russian folk song Korobushka (The Peddler)

Alexander Menshikov is singing popular song "Ochi Chyornye (Dark Eyes)"

Alexander Menshikov is working on romance Domoi Vozvrashayutsya Ptitsy ("Birds are coming back home". Music and lyrics of unknown author)

Домой возвращаются птицы из разных далеких стран,
А в той стороне за границей для русских там есть ресторан.

Оркестр играет с подмостков и русские песни звучат,
И там у столов березки, березки там в кадках стоят
read more at Sasha's page

Alexander Menshikov is singing Gypsy folk song Kayone Кай ёнэ...


Кай ёнэ, ромалы,
Кай ёнэ мирэ ли та
То лава совна(я)ку(ю)нэ

Ай! Там-там-да-ра-рай там-тай-ра
Та-ра-рам да-ра-рам тай та-ра-рам
Тай та-рам та-рам там.

Джидэ! Аваса й тана
Нэ мэраса мэ ли то
Шукир ай заджива(я)са

Ай! Там-там-да-ра-рай там-тай-ра
Та-ра-рам да-ра-рам тай та-ра-рам
Тай та-рам та-рам там.

Кай ёнэ, карик ёнэ гинэ
Бэшава эй моторо
Явава кэ тумэ

Ай! Там-там-да-ра-рай там-тай-ра
Та-ра-рам да-ра-рам тай та-ра-рам
Тай та-рам та-рам там.

Barynya - Russian music, song and dance ensemble from New York is a unique group of top soloists: musicians, singers and dancers who were trained and performed with Don Cossacks of Rostov, Andreev State symphonic balalaika orchestra, Moscow State center of "Russian Song"

The Russian Collection Dance Ensemble from San Francisco, California provides a selection of thrilling and colorful Russian folk dancing, enchanting Russian folk music, and Russian magical illusions. Group was founded in 1945 and has performed in Europe, Asia, North and South America

Revival - Russian dance ensemble from Toronto Canada is available in Canada and the United States of America to provide live entertainment for corporate events, parties, weddings, and all other events. Artistic Director Ekaterina Kornienkova

Canary dance ensemble from Los Angeles, California performs Russian, Moldovan, Ukrainian, Gypsy, Armenian and Jewish folk traditional dances

Russian traditional dance and music program NY, NJ, CT, PA, MD designed for smaller budget venues with limites space for the dancing. 3 dancers, 1 musician perform Russian, Cossack, Ukrainian, Siberian folk dances, songs and music... more Russian dance ensembles

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Russian New Year's characters Father Frost and Snow Maiden
Ded Moroz and Snegurochka (Russian: Дед Мороз и Снегурочка)

Father Frost and Snow Maiden are the most important characters of the New Year's celebration in Russia. Father Frost (Ded Moroz, Russian: Дед Мороз) plays a role similar to that of Santa Claus. The literal translation of the name would be "Grandfather Frost". However, English-speakers traditionally translate "DED MOROZ" as the alliterative "FATHER FROST". Ded Moroz is always accompanied by his granddaughter Snegurochka - Snow Maiden (Russian: Снегурочка). New York based ensemble Barynya created a special Russian New Year's program with traditional Russian winter songs, dances and music: "In the forest a fir-tree was born" (V Lesu Rodilas' Yolochka), "Small Fir Tree is Freezing during the Winter" (Malen'koi Yolochke Kholdno Zimoy), "The snowstorm is blowing along the street" (Metelitsa), "Father Frost" (Moroz-Moroz), "Five minutes" (Pyat' Minut). Ded Moroz and Snegurochka are available for hire in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania (within 100 miles driving distance from New York City). For a fast price quote contact Mikhail Smirnov Father Frost and Snow Maiden - Ded Moroz and Snegurochka in New York City - photos

Russian singers for hire

Russian Gypsy and popular songs singer Alexander Menshikov from Cliffside Park, New Jersey performs with his Russian Wedding Band 5GRAND.US, ensemble Barynya or solo. He studied singing at The Gnesin's Academy in Moscow, Russia.

Acclaimed Russian Jewish singer and actor from New York Yakov Yavno

Piques Dames perform in the New York metropolitan area. Their repertoire includes a variety of Slavic and European Classical and Folk vocal music as well as compositions from operatic and sacred classics.

Singer, keyboard player, MC Yury Mitchenko is available in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania

Russian, Gypsy, Jewish, Italian and American singer Sergei Pobedinski from New York City, USA

Russian folk singer Irina Zagornova from New York, USA

Classical Russian Gypsy singer Vasily Yankovich was named the best Tsygansky (Russian Roma Gypsy) singer in the United States. Available in New York, New Jersey and internationally.

Gypsy Roma singer and dancer, 7-string guitar virtuoso Vadim Kolpakov

Honored performers of Russia Svetlana Smirnova and Yury Selivanov from Moscow, Russia

Russian folk singer and garmoshka player Mikhail Smirnov from Fort Lee, New Jersey performs authentic Russian folk songs and tongue twisters.

Russian folk singer Nina Selivanova from Moscow, Russia

Russian, Ukrainian and Gypsy singer Nikolai Massenkoff from San Francisco, California

Russian folk singer Tanya Matveeva from Moscow, Russia

Russian singer Marina Zhuravleva from Calgary, Canada

Russian classical singer (Bass) Vladimir Loginov from New York City. He is a profesional singer of the Bass solo parts in operas. He can also perform Russian, Ukrainian, Gypsy and international repertoire. Vladimir Loginov helds a Master's degree from Moscow State Conservatory named after P. Tchaikovsky (Vocal Department).

Russian bayan player, singer and actor Vitali Baganov from New York City, New York, USA

Russian Cossack singer and dancer Valentina Kvasova from New York, USA

Ukrainian singer, musician from San Fransisco, California Nina Tritenichenko

Russian folk singer Natalia Demidova from New York

Russian, Cossack, Ukrainian and Gypsy folk singer Victoria Pichurova from Brooklyn, New York, USA

Russian singer Elena Harris from Grand Forks, Idaho, USA

Gypsy singer Svetlana Yankovsky from Las Vegas, Nevada

Russian singer, Bass-baritone Alexander Prokhorov from Boston, Massachusetts was born in Russia. Now he lives in Boston, where he is engaged as one of the performing artists with Boston University's Opera Institute. Alexander has been described as a "true deep bass with tones, that immediately astonished with their midnight-dark, chasm depth of richness and powerful timber..."

Russian singer (bass-barytone) Boris Kletinich from Montreal, Canada was graduated from the University of Theater Art and Film of Moscow (Russia). During his military service, he was soloist of the Air Force Orchestra and Chorus of the Red Army. Boris can sing different musical forms: Russian popular and love songs, rock and love ballad, the jazz, the popular writings of Broadway, the Jewish and Latin America songs, arias of opera.

Legendary Russian Gypsy singer Zhenya Shevchenko from New York City, USA

Russian singer Zarina Maliti from Moscow, Russia