Press Releases
American Country Music and Traditional Kyrgyz Folklore on Stage of Opera and Ballet Theatre
February 7, 2012
On February 3, 2012 the Kyrgyz National Opera and Ballet Theatre hosted an evening of folk music dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the friendship and cooperation between the Kyrgyz Republic and the United States of America. American country music group The Red State Ramblers* and the Kyrgyz folk ensemble" Ustatshakirt" both shared the stage for a celebration of both countries’ unique musical traditions. In addition, both groups performed together in the village of Teploklyuchenka in Issyk-Kul oblast and conducted a series of master classes with students of musical schools and schoolchildren of Bishkek city and Issyk-Kul oblast.
The members of The Red State Ramblers group are: Nikos Pappas (fiddle), William Bacon (banjo/ukulele/kazoo), Jeffrey Keith (mandolin/guitar), Kevin Kehrberg (double bass/guitar), and Ronald Pen (fiddle/dulcimer).
They all met through the University of Kentucky where Ron taught music and musicology, Nikos and Kevin are doctoral students of musicology, Jeff is a history doctoral student, and Will is a distinguished alumnus. It is no accident that their mutual interest in “old time” music intersected here because this university is a place that respects its own rich heritage and culture. Together, they seek to maintain that tradition through their intelligent and impassioned performance of the music that is their birthright. As cultural ambassadors, they insure that Kentucky’s rich history lives vibrantly in the present.
The group "Ustatshakirt" is composed of: Mr. Nurlan Nyshanov (art director/composer), Askat Zhetigen uulu (komuz/temir komuz), Aisana Omorova (komuz/temir komuz), Adinay Kudabaeva (komuz/temir komuz/ jygach ooz komuz ), Emil Ishenbek uulu (komuz/temir komuz), Edilbek Usonbek uulu (sybyzgy/chopo choor/choor/temir komuz), Tolgonay Osmonova (sybyzgy/chopo choor/choor/temir komuz), Mahabat Kobogonova (kyl kyiak/temir komuz ooz/ jygach ooz komuz ), Aizada Kasabolotova (vocals/komuz/temir komuz).
"Ustatshakirt" group, established under the similarly-named center for traditional music, is making great strides in the preservation, development and popularization of the traditional Kyrgyz music. The musicians of the ensemble are the winners of various national and international contests with concerts in North America, Europe, Asia and North Africa.