Experience an amazingly different cultural world of fascinating and unusual instruments, charming costumes and singing with the Balalaika Fantasie ensemble and singers performing on authentic Russian folk instruments. Their repertoire includes Russian, Ukrainian, Gypsy and Jewish folk music. They come from the Atlanta Balalaika Society orchestra to perform May 7 at the Hungry Ear Coffee House.
Angelina Galashenkova-Reed (domra) has toured the world as a soloist with the Andreyev Russian Folk Orchestra of St. Petersburg, Russia, performing with them at Carnegie Hall’s 100th anniversary. Immigrating to the U.S. in 2001, she has had numerous solo appearances, most notably at Spivey Hall, and is the concertmaster and domra soloist of the Atlanta Balalaika Society Orchestra. Angelina also performs in the domra-guitar duo, 9 String Theory.
Pennsylvania-born David C. Cooper (balalaika, domra, vocals) is recognized as a Russian virtuosi as a balalaika soloist and is an authority on Russian folk instruments (he plays them all). He studied conducting and performance at the Glier Institute of Kiev, Ukraine and is the artistic director and conductor of the Atlanta Balalaika Society Orchestra.
Alla Melnik (bayan, vocals) received her music degree from the Kiev University of Arts and Culture. She has performed and taught bayan, music theory and piano throughout Ukraine. Alla has a vast repertoire of folk, classical and popular music.
Gregory Carageorge (contrabass balalaika and string bass) has performed in numerous ethnic music groups. He was the leader of the house band at New York’s Russian Tea Room, and has appeared with numerous folk, bluegrass, and jazz ensembles.
Irene Perloff McCullough (alto domra) and David McCullough (alto balalaika) have performed in Russian folk music ensembles in Boston and Detroit and Atlanta, and perform together as the balalaika-guitar duo, “Russian Romance.”
Doors open at 7:30; show starts at 8 pm. Join us! A $5 donation is requested and canned goods always appreciated for the Community Assistance Center (CAC).