Thousand Oaks, CA (California). Russian dancers, singer, musicians, garmoshka player. Multicultural school assembly

Russian dance and music trio Barynya performed a school assembly concert in Thousand Oaks, California. Two 45 min shows took place at the Los Cerritos Middle School on Monday, March 18, 2013 at 1:15PM and 2:15PM.

PROGRAM OF PERFORMANCE:

Artistic director/founder Mikhail Smirnov played the garmoshka, a Russian-style diatonic button accordion and guitar. In between singing songs, and dancing traditional numbers to the music, Mikhail Smirnov and dancers shared a little bit of the Russian language. Mikhail (Misha) taught students words and phrases such as "Yes" (DA), "No" (NYET), "Thank You" (SPASEEBA), "Hello" (ZDRAVSTVUITE), "You're Welcome" (PAZHALUYSTA) and "Bye" (PAKA) as well as the alphabet and counting. He said each word in English and then slowly in Russian, allowing eveyone in the audience a moment to try the words themselves after each one. After the segment on words, the students attempted to chatter in Russian for a couple minutes, smiling and laughing about how they sounded. Almost in the end of the performance, Mikhail paused to share a couple of Russian tongue twisters, explaining each one in English first, and then saying them in Russian at top speed. With each one, the twisters got more complicated and lengthy. There was even a chance for a handful of students to get up on stage and try out a couple of Russian percussion instruments. List of numbers performed: "Subboteya" (Saturday Affair - Субботея), "Barynya" (Bariniya - Барыня), "Korobeiniki" (The Peddlers - Коробейники), "Russkiy Tanets" (Russian dance - Русский танец), "Urok Russkogo Yazyka" (Russian Lesson - урок русского языка), "Metelitsa" (The Snowstorm - Вдоль по улице метелица метёт), "Skorogovorki" (Tongue Twisters - Скороговорки), "Yablochko" (Sailor's Dance - Яблочко), "Swan dance" (Ballet Dance - Умирающий лебедь), "Ochee Chyornye" (Dark Eyes - Очи Чёрные), "Katyusha" (Katiyusha - Катюша), "Kalinka" (Guilder Rose Tree - Калинка), "Urok Russkogo Tantsa" (Russian dance lesson - Урок русского танца), dance of Russian Bear.

About Mikhail Smirnov, garmoshka and guitar player, singer:

Mikhail Smirnov was born in Moscow, Russia. 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, ensemble "Moskoviya" under the direction of Valeriy Kuz'mich Nesterov. 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.

About Ensemble "Barynya":

The Russian music, dance and song ensemble Barynya (Russian: Барыня), established in the year 1991, is a world renowned group that enjoys exalting stature as the premier Russian folk ensemble. Barynya presents Russian, Cossack, Siberian, Nanai, Ukrainian, Roma Gypsy Tsyganskiy, Evreiskiy Jewish traditional dancing, music, songs, and virtuoso performances on instruments including the balalaika, balalaika-contrabass, garmoshka (Russian folk button accordion). Barynya has been invited to perform at some of the most prestigious cultural venues in the United States, including Carnegie Hall in New York City, 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. Latest major concert tours: Puerto Rico (2015), United States (2014, 2013, 2012), Australia (2011), Hong Kong (2010), Canada, Mexico (2009), United States (2008). 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". Ensemble Barynya is available for hire for performing art centers, festivals, colleges, school assemblies, libraries, concert halls, restaurants, private and corporate events.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Email: msmirnov@yahoo.com / Phone: (201) 981-2497.

VIDEOS

watch this video on www.youtube.com website

PHOTOS

Barynya Russian Spectacular Assembly, Mikhail Smirnov, Elina Karokhina, dancer Elena
Mikhail Smirnov, Elina Karokhina, dancer Elena

Russian dancers, music, songs, garmoshka, Covina, California
Click the image above to see full-size high resolution photo

November 5th, 2020. Virtual performances at the Evergreen Elementary School, San Jose, California

On Thursday, November 5th, 2020 dancers and musicians of Russian dance and music ensemble Barynya presented two virtual performances for the students of the Evergreen Elementary School, San Jose, California. Exact address of the school: 3010 Fowler Rd, San Jose, CA 95135. Forty five min program of each assembly included introduction to Russian language, culture, Russian, Cossack, Ukrainian, Jewish and Gypsy Roma traditional dancing, music, songs, and virtuoso performances on instruments including the balalaika, garmoshka (Russian folk button accordion) and balalaika contrabass. Cast of performers: dancer Konstantin Tulinov, Mikhail Smirnov (garmoshka, guitar, vocals), Elina Karokhina (balalaika), dancer Elena Notkina, dancer Alexander Rudoy, dancer Katsiaryna Mileuskaya, dancer Zheniya Berdzinishvili, dancer Vladimir Nikitin, dancer Sergey Tsyganok, dancer Veronika Hunko, dancer Valentina Kvasova, dancer Maryia Zhukovich, dancer Olga Chpitalnaia, dancer Anna Brovkina, dancer Katerina Brovkina, dancer Irina Kl, dancer Ilia Pankratov, dancer Danila Sherstobitov, and dancer Aliaksandr Anatska.