Alexsei Arkhipovski

The internationally acclaimed artist, known as Paganini of the Russian balalaika. With many appearances in Russia and abroad, Arkhipovski impress with his talent and skills.

Biography: He was born on 15 May 1968 in the town of Tuapse, Krasnodar Territory, Russia. He has inherited his passion for music from his father who played on the garmoshka as a child and accordeon in the 1950-s. So music was often played in their home. At the age of 9 he started a musical school to study the balalaika. As a student he often took part and won awards in town and regional contests. After finishing school he gave the 1-st 2-part solo-concert. In 1982 he entered State Musical College named after the Gnessins, the department of folk instruments,balalaika - class, professor V.Zadzigin. In 1985 he became a laureate of the 3-d Russian Contest of Folk Instrument Performers. After graduating from college he worked as a soloist in Smolensk Russian Folk Orchestra directed by V.Dubrovskiy. It was then when he started experimenting with the expressiveness of the balalaika-solo. In 1998 he was invited to the State Academic Russian Folk Ensemble "Russia" directed by L. Zykina. He toured a lot round Russua and abroad with the ensemble. In 2002-2003 he started cooperating with SNC (Stas Namin Centre). As a soloist pf2he took part in the Festivals of Russian Culture which took place in the USA, China, South Korea, Germany, France, Spain, Bulgaria. Besides he took part in different jazz festivals in Russia and abroad, in radio and TV programmers, government concerts and summits.