Russian music, dance and song ensemble Barynya

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The Russian music, dance and song ensemble Barynya (Russian: Барыня), established in the year 1991 in New York City, is a world renowned group that enjoys exalting stature as the premier Russian folk ensemble outside of Russia. Barynya presents Russian, Cossack, Ukrainian, Jewish and Gypsy Roma traditional dancing, music, songs, and virtuoso performances on instruments including the balalaika, garmoshka (Russian folk button accordion), balalaika contrabass, bayan, Gypsy guitars, domra, violin. Barynya has been invited to perform at some of the most prestigious cultural venues in the United States, including Carnegie Hall in New York, the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, the Smithsonian Institute of America in Washington D.C., the United Nations in New York, and the Russian Embassy in Washington D.C.

Barynya is globally recognized and boasts an impressive client roster of dignitaries, politicians, celebrities and organizations from around the world. The group performed at the black-tie Gala after the Liberty Medal was presented to former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev by President George H.W. Bush in 2008. The prestigious event was attended by over one thousand dignified guests including the likes of Tom Brokaw, Dikembe Mutumbo and Van Cliburn.

Barynya also performs annually at the Russian Nobility Ball for the Russian Nobility Association in New York. Members of the ensemble have been invited to perform at many film premier and celebrity parties, including the official post-Grammy Award parties in New York and for private events hosted by Barbara Walters, Elton John, the Rolling Stones, and Tommy Hilfiger. Most recently, Mikhail Smirnov, the founder and Artistic Director of Barynya, was invited as one of the eight judges on NBC’s hit dance show, "Superstars of Dance". Each judge is an expert in a different nation’s traditional style of dance and the NBC producers decided that Mr. Smirnov, as founder of the premier Russian folk ensemble outside of Russia, is the authority on traditional Russian dance.

Barynya dancers pictured on TV GUIDE website during SUPERSTARS OF DANCE international competition led by famous producers Nigel Lythgoe and Simon Fuller (American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance). Barynya performed acrobatic Cosssack dance routine in this competition hosted by Michael Flatley ("Lord of the Dance") and Susie Castillo, a former Miss USA. Artistic Director of Barynya was one of eight judges to decide which country will take home the coveted Trophy. Of course, Mikhail was not able to vote for Russian Team or Barynya dancers.

PROGRAMS: Ensemble Barynya is offering a few different programs: formal concert for performing art centers, Russian dance and music program for multicultural school assemblies, Russian dance and music workshops, Russian FolkTales and Fairy Tales. Founder of the group Mikhail Smirnov is hosting all performances by giving a short explanation of every number of the program in English.

Ensemble Barynya photos

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COSTUMES: Colorful Russian, Siberian, Cossack, Ukrainian, Gypsy and Klezmer stage outfits: "sarafans", "kokoshniks", "rubashkas", "sapogis", and "kosovorotkas". Each dance number performed in appropriate and authentic costumes, all hand-made by well known traditional Russian custume designer Svetlana Gavrilova who also created all costumed characters and mascots.

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MEMBERS: Only the best Russian, Cossack, Ukrainian dancers and musicians can become a member of the ensemble. Top folk dancers, traditional virtuoso musicians and top singers of the ensemble Barynya use to perform with world re-known companies: Moiseev Dance Company, Virsky Ukrainian National Dance Company, Don Cossacks of Rostov Don, Andreev State Symphonic Balalaika Orchestra, Moscow State Folk Center "Russian Song", Ensemble of Black Sea Navy Dancers, Riverdance, "Beryozka" and others.

STORY: Russian folk dance and music trio Barynya was founded in November 1991 by Russian accordion player Mikhail Smirnov, dancer Sasha Anchutin, and Russian folk singer Natasha Demidova. The first show took place at the Russian restaurant "Fyodoroff" in Carle Place, New York. Program of the Barynya ensemble always started with fast Russian traditional dance Barynya which later has become the name of the group.

REVIEWS: "...'Barynya', world-acclaimed musicians, singers and dancers...", said journalist KEITH J. O'CONNOR in his article "Russia's taste goes beyond the palate" in the Massachusetts' "Republican"

RECOMMENDATIONS: "...Beautiful performance helped make the Global Festival such a memorable evening... I could not be more impressed. I was up and out of my seat, dancing alone with them for just about every dance..." more recomendations

CLIENTS: Top cultural venues of the United States, US corporations, Russian Nobility, American educational organizations, best event and party planners, Russian tycoons and oligarchs choose Brooklyn based ensemble "Barynya", when they need top quality Russian entertainment - dancers, virtuoso musicians, singers and performers.

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 in Philadelphia. letter of recommendation.

Eight Barynya dancers, four musicians and three singers entertained a black-tie dinner for more than 1,000 guests including 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.