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Who We Are
Beginning in 1981 as a small group of balalaika aficionados, the Atlanta Balalaika Society is one
of the most highly-regarded orchestras of Russian folk instruments outside
of Russia, and is the primary promoter of Russian folk culture in the
Southeast. Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2006 at
Spivey Hall, the orchestra is known for presenting world-class artists such as domra virtuoso Alexander Tsygankov and bayanist Vyacheslav Semyonov, as well
as top vocalists and dance ensembles.
The original orchestra was
made up of professional and amateur musicians who, after attending the
national convention of the Balalaika and Domra Association of America
(BDAA),
returned home committed to bringing Russian and Eastern European folk music
to Atlanta’s audiences. The original ensemble was led by Charley Rappaport,
a professional musician who grew up in New York City’s environment of
Eastern European folk culture, and co-founded several Russian folk music
groups, as well as the BDAA.
The make-up of today’s
Atlanta Balalaika Society reflects the cultural richness of Atlanta’s
vibrant international community. In addition to American-born musicians, the
orchestra includes members born in Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Moldova,
Latvia and Sweden. The orchestra’s large audience also reflects Atlanta’s
international character, with many languages being overheard during our
concert intermissions!
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David Cooper |
The orchestra’s music
director and conductor, David C. Cooper, is a charter member of the Atlanta
Balalaika Society. A multi-talented professional musician, David is a member
of numerous ensembles, performing on everything from the Russian garmoshka
to Caribbean steel drums. He can play all the instruments in the Russian
folk orchestra, and has taught workshops in Russian folk wind instruments
and jamming at BDAA conventions. In 1987 he was selected for a fellowship at
the Glier Institute of Kiev, where he studied prima balalaika with Anatoli
Ryabinin and Yuri Alexi. David conducts from his orchestra chair where, with
zhaleikas and sopilkas at his feet, he frequently performs balalaika solos.
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Angelina Galashenkova-Reed |
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The Atlanta Balalaika
Society is indeed lucky to have
Angelina Galashenkova-Reed as its
concertmaster and domra soloist. A prize-winning domra player, Ms.
Galashenkova-Reed won the title “Laureate of All Russia National Competition
of Professional Domra Players,” at age 17, and as a result was invited to be
a soloist with the Andreyev Russian Folk Orchestra of St. Petersburg,
Russia, performing with them during Carnegie Hall’s 100th
anniversary in 1991. Ms. Galashenkova-Reed has performed in numerous Russian
folk and classical groups, emigrating to the U.S. in 2001. She is a gifted
teacher, emphasizing the importance of natural, stress-free performance
technique that is the signature of the “St. Petersburg” style of domra
playing. She has helped orchestra members at all levels, and is available
for private lessons.
The Atlanta Balalaika Society rehearses on Thursday nights from 7:30 to 9:30
pm (and on some Saturdays) at the Winters Chapel United Methodist Church,
5105 Winters Chapel Road, Atlanta, GA 30360. We have members of all ages and
levels! If you are interested in joining the orchestra, please visit our “Contact Us” page. |
