Macon, GA. Russian Balalaika Garmoshka Dance Music Duo, School Assembly Concert in Georgia

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Russian Balalaika and Garmoshka Duo performed a school assembly concert on Tuesday, October 27, 2015 at the Heard Elementary School in Macon, Georgia. This beautiful elementary school is located at 6515 Houston Rd, Macon, GA 31216. Ms. Sandra Stanley, Principal led members of the company to the student's gym where performance took place at 2:15pm.

PROGRAM OF PERFORMANCE:

Program of performance included the following: Siberian Nanai wrestling dance НАНАЕЦ, Russian folk accordion ГАРМОШКА introduction with popular folk song "Kalinka", Russian folk song and dance МЕТЕЛИЦА (The Snowstorm), introduction of Russian folk instrument Balalaika with performance of Russian folk dance КАМАРИНСКАЯ (Kamarinskaiya), Russin tongue-twisters СКОРОГОВОРКА medley, Russian Jewish wedding dance СВЕЧКА (Candle), Russian Alphabet lesson (СЛОВА), popular Russian Gypsy Roma song and dance Dark Eyes (ОЧИ ЧЕРНЫЕ), instrumental number balalaika solowith song "ВАЛЕНКИ" (Felt Boots), Russian percussian Band interactive game with students (ОРКЕСТР), Russian folk dance Barynya lesson for all students (УРОК ТАНЦА), Balalaika instrumental solo CHARDASH (ЧАРДАШ), Dance of Russian Bear (МЕДВЕДЬ).

About Elina Karokhina, the balalaika virtuoso, dancer:

Balalaika virtuoso 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. She continued her training at the St. Petersburg State 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 based in New York.

About Mikhail Smirnov, garmoshka and guitar player, vocalist:

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.

Russian Balalaika Duo is available for hire for performing art centers, school assemblies, festivals, colleges, libraries, concert halls, private and corporate events.