Russian dance and music trio performed a program of Russian songs, music and dances on September 6th, 2012. Performance took place at the Key School, 534 Hillsmere Drive in Annapolis, Maryland.
Students spent 45 minutes of their time learning about Russian culture through songs, music, dance and language. Musical director of the group Elina Karokhina played the balalaika, a three-stringed, triangular instrument. Artistic director/founder
Mikhail Smirnov played the garmoshka, a Russian-style button accordion.
Dancer presented Russian, Ukrainian, Siberian, and Gypsy dances including the dance of "Russian Bear".
In between playing songs on their instruments and dancing traditional numbers to the music, Mikhail Smirnov shared a little bit of the Russian language with the students. He taught them phrases such as thank you, please, hello, you're welcome and goodbye as well as the alphabet and counting. He said each word in English and then slowly in Russian, allowing the children 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.
The program of performance:
"Father Frost", Russian traditional table song «Ой, мороз-мороз» with accompaniment of garmoshka,
"Kamarinskaya", Instrumental solo Russian dance «Камаринская» performed on guitar and balalaika,
"Siberian Nania Wrestling" dance «Борьба нанайских мальчиков»,
"The Snowstorm" song and dance «Метелица»,
"The Peddlers" Russian folk song «Коробейники»,
"Kalinka" Russian folk dance «Калинка»,
"Amazing Balalaika" medley «соло на балалайке»,
"Russian Chicken" dance «Танец маленьких утят»,
"Russian dance Workshop" interactive lesson «Урок русского танца»,
"Russian Alphabet" interactive lesson «Урок русского языка»,
"Where Are They?" Gypsy Roma song and dance «Кай Ёне»,
"Chardash" balalaika instrumental solo «Чардаш»,
"Russian Bear" dance «Танец медведя»,
"Russian Percussian Orchestra" interactive game «Оркестр русских ударных инструментов»,
"Russian Tongue Twisters" presentation «Русские скороговорки»,
"Pidmanula", Ukrainian traditional song and dance «Ти ж мене підманула».
CONTACT INFORMATION / EMAIL: msmirnov@yahoo.com / PHONE: (201) 981-2497.
Cape St. Claire Elementary School, Annapolis, Maryland, multicultural school assembly
On February 24, 2015 Barynya trio {Elina, Mikhail, Wolodimir} performed 45 min program at the Cape St. Claire Elementary School, 931 Blue Ridge Drive, Annapolis, MD 21401. The program included dances, music and songs from Russia.
Established in 1991, ensemble Barynya presents Russian, Cossack and Jewish traditional dancing and music on instruments including the balalaika, balalaika contrabass, guitar and garmoshka. Barynya has been invited to perform at some of the most prestigious cultural venues in the U.S., including Carnegie Hall, the Smithsonian, the United Nations and the Russian Embassy in Washington, D.C. Ensemble 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.
On Tuesday, December 18, 2012 Barynya Trio performed at the Youths Benefit Elementary School in Fallston, Maryland. Cast: Mikhail Smirnov, Elina Karokhina, Erik Davletbaev.
On February 4th, 2017 Gypsy trio performed during Kids Euro Festival at the Takoma Park/Silver Spring Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center, 7995 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20910. Program included Gypsy Roma, Russian, Cossack, Moldavian, Ukrainian, and Jewish songs and dances.
