Vladimir Tichonov - “Tishka” was born in Podolsk near Moscow. A graduate of the State College of Circus and Variety Arts in Moscow, he began his professional career in the Moscow Circus in 1967 as a lead acrobat in a group act “Giant steps” and stayed with them until 1977.

In 1970 he became a diplomant of the All Russian Circus Competition, and in 1972 was awarded a title - laureate of All-Russia’s Circus Festival. Big career move came for him in 1995, when he was promoted to a clown – his true calling.

Numerous international tours had followed: Poland, Canada, USA, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Argentina, Colombia, France, Holland, Belgium, Germany, England, India, Syria and Indonesia.

Nikolay Daniliv was born near Odessa, Ukraine. In 1990 he began his professional career within the Russian State Circus system.

In 1993 Mr. Daniliv created his award winning Aerial Straps act, which was enthusiastically received by national and international audiences and the press alike.

In 1999 he was awarded a Bronze title at the All Russian Circus Festival-Competition – the most respectful one among the Russian professionals. With this act he amazed the audiences on Moscow Circus tours in Denmark, Germany, Arab Emirates, China, Switzerland, Holland, Italy, Singapore and the United States in 2005, 2006.

Andrei Lochkine – A Candidate Master of Sports in acrobatics, Mr.Loshkine started his professional career in the Moscow Circus in 1987.

A native of Yuroslav, Russia, he has worked in different genres such as acrobatics, gymnastics, equilibrist arts and juggling, but he truly blossomed as a performer when he focused his artistic energy on dog training.

His dog partner: Kirya is 5-year old, “Smart Mutt”.

In developing of this highly unusual act, Mr. Lochkine had to use much of his previous training, and as a result audiences in many countries find this duo – to be one of the show’s favorite acts.
With the Moscow Circus Andrei has toured China (1991), Germany (1992), Taiwan (1993), Poland (1995), Japan (1996,1998), France (2001) and United States (1998, 2002, 2005).

Sergey Toropov was born in Arhangelsk and began his professional career with the Moscow Circus in 1995, after graduating from the State College of Circus in Moscow.

He performed his gravity defying hand-balancing act all over Russia, appearing at some of the best known Russian venues, such as St. Petersburg’ Music Hall, and Nikulin’s Old Moscow Circus.
 

His foreign engagements include a 3-year contract with Las Vegas’ “Circus-Circus Hotel and Casino,” US theatrical tours in 2005, 2006, 2007 and extended tours of South Korea, Belgium and Canada.

Kateryna Kornieva was born in Voznesenovka, Russia in 1989. In 1997 she started her circus education at a local circus studio.

Her talent and drive paid off two years later, when she made the Ukraine State Circus’ touring team, and joined the “Palduson” company.

In 2001 she received a top award at Ukraine’s’ “Pontiy’s Arena”.

Although very young, she matured as a performer with the Moscow Circus, joining them on international tours of China, Italy and the United States.

In 2006 Kateryna won gold prize at the All-Russian circus festival “Young Talents.” In 2007 she had won a Bronze Prize at the world’s top circus competition in Monte Carlo.

Twin brothers Vladimir and Anatoliy Shustov were born in the suburb of Moscow in 1957.

They started their circus studies in an amateur circus studio and completed them in the State College of Circus in Moscow in 1977. After joining Russian State Circus they participated in and won numerous circus competitions both in Russia and abroad.They became laureates of the All Russian Circus competition, of the World Festival of Circus Artists in Santiago, Chile; in Monte Carlo (the world’s major competition) they were awarded the Jury’s Special Prize, at the prestigious French competition in Massy, they won the Special Prize of the President of France.

This outstanding team of acrobats toured the following countries: Germany, Czechoslovakia, Vietnam, Laos, Hungary, France, Italy, Chile, Great Britain, Sweden, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Holland, Spain, the USA and Indonesia.

Rudolf Smirnov – St. Petersburg based folk musician, instrumentalist, composer, arranger and a vocalist, Rudolf was born in Perm, Russia. In 1986, he graduated from the Leningrad Conservatory, Class of Bayan (Russian accordion). In 1990, he completed studies at the Creative Studio as a vocalist and jazz piano player. His musical accomplishments include mastery of instruments such as the bayan, trumpet, piano, guitar and balalaika-contrabass. Mr. Smirnov has been conductor of several symphony orchestras. Winner of the Andreev’s All Russian State Competition of Folk Instruments.

He is also a laureate of an International competition of bards. Has two CD albums out. Toured Germany, Sweden, Finland, Italy, Israel, Indonesia and the United States.

Karokhina Elina – One of Russia’s few female balalaika players, Ms. Karokhina was born in Leningrad. She graduated the local College of music and the Leningrad Conservatory, Class of Balalaika in 1997, and in the same year entered postgraduate program. In 2003 she became a laureate of an International competition of the folk orchestras “Cup of the North”.

A former member of State Concert Orchestra of St. Petersburg she is currently performs with Russia’s premier Orchestra of Folk Instruments of Andreev. She toured Germany, Spain, Austria, Indonesia and North America.

Maxim Anukhin – Born in Belomorsk, Russia.In 2005 he graduated from the St. Petersburg State University of Culture and Arts, Class of Goosly (a millennium-old instrument), and in the same year was offered a teaching position at the University. In 2001 Mr. Anukhin founded a band “Obereg”, specializing in performing ancient Slavic music. Before joining the Moscow Circus for the US tour in 2006, he toured Germany and France.