Arizona Balalaika Orchestra
The Arizona Balalaika Orchestra it pleased to announce its 45th annual Slavic Spring Concert of traditional music and dance of Ukraine, Russia, Poland, and other Slavic countries on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at 7:00 pm, at St. Cyril of Alexandria Catholic Church, 4725 E. Pima St., Tucson, AZ 85712.
With exhilarating dances, emotional songs, and colorful costumes, the 20-member Orchestra, founded in 1980, presents the spectrum of Slavic music and dance, both classical and folk, on authentic instruments, including the triangular balalaika, the mandolin-like domra, accordion, the harp-like gusli, as well as winds and percussion instruments.
The orchestra is delighted to present as its special guest artists balalaika virtuoso Denis Zhukov and domra virtuoso Guzel Safiullina, both originally from Russia, and now living in Los Angeles. Denis is a laureate of prestigious international competitions, founded a children’s Slavic orchestra, and performs a unique and innovative balalaika method, utilizing modern electronics, as well as traditional balalaika styles. Guzel is a graduate of the renowned Gnessin Russian Academy of Music in Moscow and winner of many international competitions.
The concert will also be joined by the dynamic and colorfully costumed dancers of Tucson’s Lajkonik Polish Folk Ensemble, under the direction of Matthew and Joanna Schmit. Vocalists Guy Velgos and Margarita Brosova will bring spirited and popular Slavic folk songs to the show. Ukrainian native Dr. Alexander Tentser, noted concert pianist and graduate of the Gnessin Russian Music Academy and the University of Arizona, will conduct this exciting family-friendly concert, with UA grad Rafael Reyes-Worman serving as associate conductor.
Event Links
Website: https://go.evvnt.com/2914755-0
