Russian Duo

Oleg Kruglyakov and Terry Boyarsky have a compelling story and an instant rapport with audiences. They are known for their joyful, energizing performances. Listeners can expect, moving, exuberant interpretations which sometimes inspire dancing, sometimes evoke tears. Russian Duo was born out of love of traditional music and classical elegance. Oleg is a balalaika virtuoso from Siberia, trained at the prestigious Urals State Conservatory in Yekaterinburg. Terry is an American concert pianist, Dalcroze Eurhythmics teacher and Ethnomusicologist. 

Robert Spano, Music Director, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra writes, “With music of élan, f inesse and passion so virtuosically rendered, this duo’s performances are irresistible.”

Russian Duo is an international project, born out of a love of traditional music and classical elegance. They celebrate cross-cultural creativity, exploring the range of possibilities for balalaika, voice, and piano. Audiences are taken on a journey across the span of Russian culture—from humorous pieces, virtuoso variations, pulsating dance music, rhythmic folk songs, and lyrical romances. In addition to classical music Russian Duo performs many genres including music of Ukrainian composers, tango, blue grass, Soviet film music, and their own arrangements of ragtime.

Since the inception of Russian Duo, in 2007,  Oleg and Terry have performed from Canada to Florida, from Minnesota to Texas, and from Massachusetts to Oregon. In 2017, they performed in Kirov, Russia.

Russian Duo was selected to showcase at the Chamber Music America National Conference in NYC, January 2011. They have also showcased for Ohio Arts Professionals Network and Pennsylvania Presenters. Russian Duo has been on the Ohio Arts Council "Ohio Artists on Tour" (fee-support program) roster since 2008.

The Vermont Journal writes, "The audience was enthralled as the music slid from exuberance of joy and anger to whispers of love and crying so faint you could have heard a pin drop. 'Beautiful,' 'Incredible,' 'Wow,' and 'He is making the balalaika cry,' were heard as the audience listened intently."

WKSU host and Cuyahoga River Concerts presenter Matt Watroba says, "We loved the way the Russian Duo combined historical information with world-class playing and performance. Our audience was mesmerized! They didn’t want them to leave the stage. The duo provided an excellent retrospective of the music from both the folk and classical traditions. Professional and crowd pleasing...it was a great success."

"For a folk musician to be able to achieve the precision of a classically trained musician is rare, as rare as it is for a classically trained musician to deliver the freedom and spontaneity of a folk musician." -Robert Spano, Music Director, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra