Slavic Dreams, an ensemble of the WBS
Slavic Dreams Ensemble (left to right)
Al Esguerra — Prima Domra. Al also plays violin and ukulele, and lends a helping hand to other musicians with instrument and pick “engineering.”
Svetlana Nikonova (seated) — Tenor and Prima Domra. Svetlana is the Artistic Director and Conductor of the Washington Balalaika Society Orchestra. A conservatory-trained musician, the Ensemble appreciates her playing with us. A conservatory-trained musician, gifted player and arranger, the Ensemble is very fortunate to have her join our group.
Cindy Stroup – Prima Domra. Cindy organizes concerts and music. She also plays mandolin in a local mandolin-guitar orchestra.
Dick Hulan – Kontrabass Balalaika. Dick also plays a number of other folk instruments.
Jim Pope — Alto Balalaika and Vocals. Jim also plays prima balalaika, piano, and has performed in choral groups at the Kennedy Center and across Europe.
Janet Bohm (seated) – Prima Balalaika. Jan is President of the Washington Balalaika Society. She also sings with the Vocal Arts Ensemble of the Fairfax Choral Society.
Sal Ferrantelli — Keyboard and Vocals. Sal also plays sekunda balalaika. He has over 40 years’ experience as a choir conductor, piano player, music composer, singer, and arranger.
Slavic Dreams Ensemble
Slavic Dreams is an ensemble of the Washington Balalaika Society, the largest Russian folk orchestra in the United States. The ensemble wears traditional folk costumes and performs on authentic folk instruments bringing the music of Eastern Europe, Ukraine, Russia, and beyond, to the broader community.
A typical music program includes a sampling of different styles of music, including some pieces that were especially composed for these folk instruments. There are happy songs and sad songs, songs to dance to and songs to listen to – music that reflects the history and diversity of their people.
The ensemble consists of balalaikas, domras, a keyboard, and a vocalist. The domra is a round-backed instrument similar to an Italian mandolin. The balalaika is a triangular shaped instrument that was originally a peasant instrument derived from the domra. The balalaika was perfected in the 1890’s and became the professional level instrument of today.
Read more about the Slavic Dreams Ensemble and the Washington Balalaika Society at www.balalaika.org and on Facebook.
To arrange a concert, contact
[Slavic Dreams was previously known as the Russkie Musikanti.]
Slavic Dreams Ensemble (left to right)
Al Esguerra — Prima Domra. Al also plays violin and ukulele, and lends a helping hand to other musicians with instrument and pick “engineering.”
Svetlana Nikonova (seated) — Tenor and Prima Domra. Svetlana is the Artistic Director and Conductor of the Washington Balalaika Society Orchestra. A conservatory-trained musician, the Ensemble appreciates her playing with us. A conservatory-trained musician, gifted player and arranger, the Ensemble is very fortunate to have her join our group.
Cindy Stroup – Prima Domra. Cindy organizes concerts and music. She also plays mandolin in a local mandolin-guitar orchestra.
Dick Hulan – Kontrabass Balalaika. Dick also plays a number of other folk instruments.
Jim Pope — Alto Balalaika and Vocals. Jim also plays prima balalaika, piano, and has performed in choral groups at the Kennedy Center and across Europe.
Janet Bohm (seated) – Prima Balalaika. Jan is President of the Washington Balalaika Society. She also sings with the Vocal Arts Ensemble of the Fairfax Choral Society.
Sal Ferrantelli — Keyboard and Vocals. Sal also plays sekunda balalaika. He has over 40 years’ experience as a choir conductor, piano player, music composer, singer, and arranger.
Slavic Dreams Ensemble
Slavic Dreams is an ensemble of the Washington Balalaika Society, the largest Russian folk orchestra in the United States. The ensemble wears traditional folk costumes and performs on authentic folk instruments bringing the music of Eastern Europe, Ukraine, Russia, and beyond, to the broader community.
A typical music program includes a sampling of different styles of music, including some pieces that were especially composed for these folk instruments. There are happy songs and sad songs, songs to dance to and songs to listen to – music that reflects the history and diversity of their people.
The ensemble consists of balalaikas, domras, a keyboard, and a vocalist. The domra is a round-backed instrument similar to an Italian mandolin. The balalaika is a triangular shaped instrument that was originally a peasant instrument derived from the domra. The balalaika was perfected in the 1890’s and became the professional level instrument of today.
Read more about the Slavic Dreams Ensemble and the Washington Balalaika Society at www.balalaika.org and on Facebook.
To arrange a concert, contact
crstroup@gmail.com
[Slavic Dreams was previously known as the Russkie Musikanti.]
