Russian Balalaika Duo performed 45 min programs of traditional dances, songs and music in Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
The Multicultural School Assembly took place on
Monday, April 4, 2016 (1:30pm) at the St. Francis Xavier School, 33 Cross Street, Hyannis, MA 02601.
Program of performance:
The program of performances included
Siberian Nanai Sumo dancers (Нанайская борьба)
Russian folk button accordion garmoshka introduction with popular folk song "Moroz" (Ой, мороз-мороз),
Russian folk song and dance "The Snowstorm" (Russian: Метелица - Metelitsa),
introduction of Russian folk instrument balalaika with performance of Russian folk dance "Kamarinskaiya" (Камаринская),
Russian Gypsy Roma song and dance "Dark Eyes" (Очи Чёрные),
"Skorogovorkee" - Medley of Russian tongue-twisters (Скороговорки),
"Evreiskiy Tanets" - Russian Jewish wedding dance with Candle (Еврейский танец со свечкой),
"Russskiy Alfaveet" - Russian Alphabet lesson (Русский алфавит),
Ukrainian folk song and dance "You Tricked Me" (Пидманула),
Instrumental Balalaika Medley of two Russian folk songs "Muzh" and "Valenkee" ("Как заставил меня муж", "Валенки"),
"Orkestr Russkikh Narodnykh Instrumentov" - Russian percussian Band interactive game with students (Коробейники),
"Along Piterskaia Street" Russian foood song and dance of Chicken,
Popular Russian folk song "Kaleenka" (Калинка-малинка моя),
Barynya, Russian folk dance lesson and workshop for all students (Урок русского народного танца).
Russian ethnomusicologist, singer, musician, Artistic Director and Founder of Barynya ensemble Mikhail Smirnov (garmoshka, guitar, vocals) led the performance by giving a short explanation of every number of the program in English. He talked briefly about costumes, folk instruments, Russian traditions, explained the difference between Russian and English alphabet, and performed Russian tongue-twisters. Musical director of the group Elina Karokhina performed a few solos on Russian folk instrument .
Balalaika virtuoso Elina Karokhina who 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 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 several concerts at the Carnegie Hall in New York City as a part of "THE TRIUMPH OF HOPE" international event.
Elina Karokhina and Mikhail Smirnov are members of Russian dance and music ensemble Barynya (established in 1991). The Barynya is available for hire for performing art centers, school assemblies, festivals, colleges, libraries, concert halls, restaurants, private and corporate events as one powerful ensemble or in smaller groups.
08-30-2024, Cafe St. Petersburg, Newton, Massachusetts
Saturday, August 30th, 2024, 80th birthday party at the Cafe St. Petersburg in Newton, Massachusetts. Exact address of the venue: 57 Union St, Ste 1, Newton, MA 02459, www.cafestpetersburg.com. 45 min program included "Марджанджа", "Бричка", "Шатрица", "Дорогой длинною", "К нам приехал наш любимый", "Очи чёрные", "Счастье вдруг", "Чардаш", "Money", "Путь бегут неуклюже", "Мохнатый шмель", and "Two Guitars"
July 30th, 2020, virtual performance for the Stoughton Public Library, Stoughton, Massachusetts
On Thursday, July 30th, 2020 starting at 2pm ensemble Barynya presented one hour concert for the Stoughton Public Library, 84 Park St., Stoughton, MA 02072. Phone: 781-344-2711. The program was titled "BARYNYA. From Russia With Love. Music, songs, and dances of old Russia".