Russian music, dance and song balalaika duo (Elina Karokhina, Mikhail Smirnov) performed a concert at the First Flight Elementary School, 107 Veterans Drive, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 on Tuesday, April 26, 2016. 45 min school assembly performance started at 9AM. The Balalaika Duo performed Siberian Nanai Wrestling Dance "Нанаец", Russian folk button accordion "Гармошка" introduction with traditional Russian song "Kalinka", The Snowstorm, Russian folk dance ("Метелица"), Kamarinskaiya, Russian folk instrument balalaika introduction ("Камаринская"), Russian Tongue Twisters Medley ("Скороговорки"), Jewish wedding dance "Свечки", Russian Percussian Orchestra interactive game with students ("Трещётки"), Russian Romani Roma Gypsy song and dance ("Цыганский"), Russian folk dance lesson ("Урок танца"), Ukrainian folk song and dance Pidmanoola ("Украинский"), instrumental solo "Чардаш", Russian Bear dance "Медведь", and other selections.
ABOUT PERFORMERS: Elina Karokhina Elina Karokhina 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. Elina 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 Teaching and Performing. Following the Graduation, Elina began working as a musician, both as a teacher and as a performer, teaching balalaika. Mrs. Karokhina served in the Russian Army in the Military Ensemble in the Northwest Order of Red Stars. She is a winner of International Music Competition in Cherepovets and a Holder of the First Place in Troyanovsky's Competition for musicians performing of traditional instruments in St. Petersburg, Russia. As a balalaika soloist Elina has toured all over the world.
Elina Karokhina on the stage of the Carnegie Hall in New York City
She was a soloist of State Concert Russian Orchestra of Saint Petersburg under direction of Honored Performer of Russia Vladimir Popov (Russian: Государственный Русский концертный оркестр Санкт-Петербурга, Художественный руководитель и главный дирижер – Заслуженный деятель искусств России ВЛАДИМИР ПОПОВ.) 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 world-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 with symphony orchestra, choir, and opera soloists as a soloist of "The Orchestra Rocks" production. In September 2016 he appeared at the Carnegie Hall again as a part of "Moscow Gypsy Army" representing rich musical culture of Eastern Europian Roma people. In January 2017 Elina was hired to play Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's "The Legend of the Invisible City of Kitezh" Suite at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. with the National Symphony Orchestra. All four performances were under direction of world-famous conductor Sir Mark Elder. In 2017 Elina was invited to perform as a Honored Guest Artist at the Balalaika and Domra Association of America 40th Jubilee Convention that will be taking place in Philadelphia in July 2018.
About Mikhail Smirnov: Mikhail Smirnov was born in Moscow, Russia in 1966. 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. 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.
05-17-2025, HSNC Cultural Hall, Morrisville, North Carolina
Five dancers performed during World Dance Festival at the HSNC Cultural Hall in Morrisville, North Carolina. Repertoire included Bottle dance (Jewish), Hopak (Ukrainian), Mardzhandzha (Gypsy), and Kalinka (Russian).
01-21-2020, Fayetteville Technical Community College, Fayetteville, NC
On Tuesday, January 21st, 2020, two dancers and two musicians of Russian dance, song and music ensemble Barynya provided dance and music workshop with questions and answers from 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM, and formal performance from 12:00PM to 1PM at the Cumberland Hall Auditorium on Fayetteville campus Fayetteville Technical Community College, 2201 Hull Road, Fayetteville, NC 28303. Students learn facts about Russia, and asked questions about Russian Culture and e njoy traditional Russian folk dances, music, and songs performed on garmoshka, and balalaika. Cast of performers included dancer Alisa, singer Mikhail Smirnov, balalaika player Elina Karokhina, and dancer Sergey.
10-13-2017, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC
Ensemble Barynya performed two concerts at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC on Friday, October 13, 2017. Program included Russian folk dance "Kalinka", Ukrainian folk song and dance "Hopak", Cossack song and dance "Varen'ka", Russian traditional dance "Barynya", Russian Jewish wedding dance with candles, Jewish Bottle dance, Russian Roma (Romani) Gypsy song and dance "Mardzhandzha", Russian folk song and dance "The Snowstorm", introduction of the Russian string instrument "BALALAIKA" (instrumental solo of folk melody "Kamarinskaiya", Russian Tongue-Twisters Medley, Russian folk dance lesson, Waltz "The Butterfly" by Vasily Andreev, Russian folk song "Husband Forsed Me", Felt Boots, Sabre Dance, and other selections.
04-25-2016, Davidson County Community College, Davie Campus, Mocksville, NC
One hour concert of Russian traditional music, songs and dances for students in Mocksville, North Carolina on Monday, April 25, 2016. Performance started at 12:30PM at the Davidson County Community College, Davie Campus, 1205 S Salisbury Street, Mocksville, NC 27028.
04-22-2016, Estes Elementary School, Asheville, North Carolina
Friday, April 22, 2016, Estes Elementary School, 275 Overlook Rd, Asheville, NC. Program of performance: Siberian Nanai wrestling dance "Bor'ba Nanaiskikh Malchikov",
Russian folk song and dance "Kalinka",
Russian folk song "Moroz",
Russian dance "Metelitsa" ("The Snowstorm"),
Russian folk song "Kamarinskaiya" (balalaika solo, instrumental),
Russian Jewish wedding dance,
Russian tongue-twisters,
Russian Gypsy Balalaika medley and dance,
Russian Alphabet lesson,
Russian percussion band plays "Korobushka" (Peddlers),
Russian dance workshop,
"Chardash" (balalaika solo. instrumetal),
Russian Bear dance.
A school assembly program on September 17th, 2014 at the Kitty Hawk Elementary School, 16 S Dogwood Trail, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949. The program included Nanai wrestling dance, Russian folk song Kalinka, Russian dance "Metelitsa", Kamarinskaiya, Russian tongue-twisters, Russian Chicken dance, Russian Alphabet Lesson, Russian dance workshop, Russian Bear dance.
11-13-2012, New Century International Middle School, Fayetteville, North Carolina
Elina Karokhina, Mikhail Smirnov, and dancer Erik Davletbaev performed school aseembly show at the New Century International Middle School in Fayetteville, North Carolina on Tuesday, November 13, 2012, 10am.
