Alex Siniavski, Leonid Bruk, Mikhail Smirnov

Balalaika virtuoso Alex Siniavski arrived in the United States in 1992 from St.Petersburg, Russia. He was a leading member of The Andreev State symphonic balalaika orchestra, one of the most prestigious in former USSR. Alex Siniavski graduated with honors from the Leningrad State Musical Conservatory. He is also master of trombone and euphonium.

New York based Balalaika-contrabass player Leonid Bruk was born in Leningrad, Russia. He graduated from music school as a bass guitarist and performed with many different groups. Since 1989 when he arrived to USA, Leonid was deeply attracted to the bass-balalaika. He has played with variuos folk groups and soon become known expert in Russian folk music. His specialty is playing balalaika-bass and balalaika-contrabass.

Russian folk performer, singer and musician Mikhail Smirnov has over fifteen years of experience in traditional Russian folk singing and music, he plays garmoshka, gusli and guitar. Before graduation Misha (Mikhail) was a soloist/choirmaster at vocal semi-professional group "Moskovia" (director Valery Nesterov). After graduating from Moscow State Academy of Arts Mikhail Smirnov was performing with Russian folk Theatre "Matanya" and Moscow State Folk Center "Russkaya Pesnya" (Russian Song, director Nadezhda Babkina). In 1991 he founded Russian folk music and dance ensemble Barynya.