Oleg Kruglyakov Олег Кругляков
Oleg Kruglyakov, balalaika, was born in Omsk City, Siberia, Russia in 1966. Many of his early experiences growing up centered around singing together with family members. He has a keen ear for musical styles and a deep respect for cultural tradition. He is fascinated by the history of the Russian people and well-versed in the etymology of the Russian language.
Oleg began playing the balalaika at age 7 and later was educated at the renowned Ekaterinburg Conservatory, studying conducting as well as teaching balalaika. He is a protégé of Yevgeny Grigorovich Blinov, the foremost balalaika virtuoso of the Soviet Union, who performed the world over and added many beautiful pieces of music to the balalaika-piano duo repertoire. While in conservatory Oleg had the opportunity to perform with many types of ensembles, including an ethnic music singing group.
Oleg has performed as balalaika soloist with many Folk Russian groups. From 1989-91 he toured Moscow, St. Petersburg, Siberia and Ukraine with the Urals State Folk Choir. For three years Oleg played with the band "Siberian Mosaic" touring the Irkustsk region of Siberia. Between 1993 and 1998, he traveled with the Urals Folk Ensemble "Prikamie" performing in France, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Malta and Turkmenistan. Oleg has also appeared with the Russian Folk instrument quartet "Golden Russia." He has participated in many International Festivals, among them the 1997 Folklore du Monde Festival de Bray-Dunes.
In addition to his many talents, Oleg has also participated in theatre productions. He took the role of a cello-playing prisoner in the State Tumen Drama Theatre. He had a cameo appearance performing in Chekhov’s “Three Sisters” with the Chagrin Falls Performing Arts Academy, coaching the cast in Russian folk songs and choreography.
Oleg moved to the United States in 1998 to become part of "Moscow Nights" touring extensively in Canada, Alaska and 45 states in the Continental United States.
In 2007, Oleg formed the International project “Russian Duo” with Terry Boyarsky.