Dona Yiddish Band

Alina IVAKH, vocal

A graduate from both the Kazan State University (major in Russian philology) and the Drama College associated with Lvov Academic State Academic Ukrainian Theater named after M. Zankovetska (qualified as a theater and movie actress).
In 1986-1991 Alina was an actress at the Kazan Bolshoi Academic Drama Theater named after V. Kachalov.
She also worked for Kazan TV company "Efir".
Currently Alina is the executive director of children’s/family educational TV channel (Moscow).
1995-2003 - a soloist of Klezmer ensemble "Simkha" (Kazan).
2000-2005 – a soloist of quartet "Ashkenazim".
Since 2005 she has performed with the ensemble "Dona".
Alina is a regular participant of "Klezfests" in Saint-Petersburg, Kiev and Moscow.
She is also an award winner of several international music competitions, such as "Singing actors".
Experienced Drama teacher.

Mikhail BLINKOV, clarinet

A graduate of the Moscow State Music Institute named after A. Schnittke (2006), Mikhail also graduated from the Classical Maimonides State Academy (2007, clarinet).
A soloist of the Jewish music ensembles "Klezmasters" (2003), "Berl, Shmerl & Sons" (2004-2007), "Dona" (2005).
Since 2006 has been performing with the early music ensemble "Sankt-Joseph-Kapelle". Since 2007 has been a soloist at the ensembles "Yosef-Kapelye", "Retro Dance Band" & "Pervomay". Since 2008 plays with the orchestra of the "Big City" magazine.
Participant of several klezmer music festivals in Moscow, Saint-Petersburg, Kiev, London, Prague.
A brilliant improviser, Mikhail is popular as performer, arranger and composer of klezmer music.
He has recorded several CDs of modern and folk music.

Alexey ROZOV, violin, bass

A graduate from the Russian Academy of Music named after the Gnessins. A professor of popular music at the Moscow State University of Arts. While he was a student at the above mentioned academy he also attended a jazz studio.
He played at the State Radio Broadcasting orchestra, State Cinematography orchestra, Chamber orchestra and at the "Sankt-Joseph-Kapelle" ensemble of early music. Alexey arranged various folk and popular Jewish music pieces for the violin solo. He tours a lot as a violinist-improviser.
Alexey is an award winner of the Kazan International competition "Performers of the Jewish music" named after L. Solnts (2003), III International festival "Contemporary arts and education" (Moscow, 2008).
Alexey is a regular participant of "Klezfests" in the Ukraine, Russia, Germany, Canada, Czech republic.
As a teacher he contributes regularly to the klezmer music seminars such as "Klezfest" in the Ukraine (Kiev, 2005), "Music of the Yiddishkayt" (Moscow, 2006), "Summer School for Jewish Music" (Minsk, 2005, 2007).
A soloist and the art-director of the "Dona" ensemble.
The founder and the art-director of the "Retro Dance Band" ensemble.
A soloist of the "Yosef-Kapelye" ensemble.
Personal page of Alexey Rozov.

Mikhail ALTSHULLER, vocal, bass

A graduate of the Russian Academy of Music named after the Gnessins (bass), a graduate of the Moscow State Pedagogic University (major in academic solo singing classical).
Since 1998 has been playing at the orchestra of the Moscow State Conservatory Opera Theater. He tours a lot with different ensembles in Germany, Spain, Italy, Finland, Sweden, Switzerland, as well as in the Eastern Europe.
Award winner of the International music competition in Lempjaala (Finland, 2007).
Since 2002 has been playing klezmer music and participated in various klezmer festivals in Moscow, Saint-Petersburg and Kharkov (Ukraine).
In 2004 Michael founded ensemble of Jewish music "Freylekhs" (now "Farbreyngen") The ensemble has received a prestigious award at the 1th international festival "The New Sound" (Moscow). Since 2005 Michael has performed as a soloist in ensemble "Dona". In December 2008 began to perform together with "Yosef-Kapelye" ensemble.
Also performs together with "Retro Dance Band" and "Pervomay".

Ivan LEBEDEV, piano

Musicologist, arranger, improviser. A graduate of the Moscow State Conservatory Academic Music College. A church organ player and the founder of an early music ensemble "Sankt-Joseph-Kapelle" (2001).
Since 2006 he has realized several music projects at the Moscow Hillel Yiddish-Center as a music director. A regular contributor to the annual almanac "The Music of Yiddishkayt".
Ivan is the founder and art-director of the ensemble "Yosef-Kapelye" which plays traditional Jewish music.
Since December 2005 he has performed with "Dona" ensemble as a pianist, took part at the festivals "Yiddish-Fest" (2006-2008) and performed with "Retro Dance Band" ensemble.
As a guest soloist he performed with klezmer music groups "Klezmasters", "Berl, Shmerl & Sons".
The founder and director of the military retro music ensemble "Pervomay".
Several CDs of modern and folk music performed by him have been recorded.