Balka Ensemble, established in 1987 by codirectors Francis Kosheleff and Alex Prescop, performs Russian folk music around the San Francisco Bay Area. Performers are dressed in traditional Russian costumes and play traditional Russian instruments such as the balalaika and domra. Many of the instruments are made for group members by Francis, who is a master craftsman. And don't miss his famous vodkalaika invention (after accessing the page, scroll down to the bottom to see the photo)

The Balka Ensemble ranges in size from a quartet to up to 12 instrumentalists in addition to vocal soloists. The entire group consists of 25 memebers, many of whom are of Russian ancestry. The musicians play prima, alto, bass and contrabass balalaikas, domras, guitars, accordions and a variety of percussive and wind instruments. The Balka Ensemble concert manager is Alexander Holodiloff. He can be contacted by Tel/fex at 1-877-448-5798, or Email www.shura@wwdb.org. Balka appears in schools, public radio, church festivals, charity events, banquets, parties, weddings, and folk dance festivals.

Links to other Russian Music sites:

Please email Francis Kosheleff for further information.