Polina Shepherd (Brighton, UK) – soprano, piano, accordion.

The founder and the leader of the group. See homepage.

Studied at the Music theory and history department at Kazan Music College, and Kazan State University, History department. In 1992 she was awarded Grand Prix (trip to France) at Interuniversity French Song Festival in Kazan. She won similar contests during the next 3 years.

In 1996 – 2003 Yana worked as a journalist: editor of Kazan magazine, reporter for Woman, editor and presenter for TV companies Efir and Variant (Kazan).

Yana ran the PR campaign for the II and III International Pliner Festival and L. Sonts Jewish Culture and Music and Dance Performers Contest in Kazan (2002, 2003).

In 2003 she recorded a solo CD A bisele Haynt.

Yana has sung in the quartet since 1998.

Evgenia Slavina (Moscow, Russia) - alto

is a singer and singing teacher. Performs Jewish folk songs and new compositions, as well as her own songs. Graduated in Moscow as a music educator.

Evgenia has been singing Jewish repertoire since 1994. She performs in concert halls and for Jewish communities in Moscow and Moscow district, has performed in Saint-Petersburg, Voronezh, Kazan (Russia), Kiev, Kharkov (Ukraine). She has participated in many Jewish festivals and seminars: St. Petersburg, Kiev; Moscow Dona-fest, Kharkov Klezmer Teg.

E. Slavina is the initiator and one of the organisers of The International Festival of Jewish Music in Moscow (2005-06).The First Prize Winner of the International Competition of Jewish Performers of L.Sontz in Kazan, 2003.

Evgenia works as Jewish folk music educator and teacher for Jewish organisations in Mosow (Hillel, Joint, Sokhnut, Hama, FENKAR).She collaborates with a Moscow klezmer group «Berl, Shmerl & sons» on the project «Skrip, klezmer, skrip» and with a bard Igor Belii on the project «The ways of the Jewish song».

CD: «Oyfn Veg shteyt a Boym» (2 voices, guitar; 2006).

Joined the quartet in 2006.

see also www.merlinshepherd.co.uk

Internationally acclaimed performer, composer and educator. Has been Musical Director for The Royal National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company and Shakespeare"s Globe Theatre, London. Merlin has developed a special method of teaching klezmer instrumentalists by ear and has taught at many international Yiddish Arts Programmes in North America and Eastern Europe.

Composed scores for numerous dance and theatre companies. International performances, television and radio appearances with New Presumption, Merlin Shepherd Klezmer Trio, RNT, Sukke, Frank London’s Klezmer Brass Allstars, The Sound & Light Cinematic Duo.

Merlin has been singing with the Ashkenazim since 2004.

Ashkenazim member in 2001-2006 Alina Ivakh (Moscow, Russia) - alto

Graduated from M. Zankovetsky Ukranian Academy Theatre College as a theatre and cinema actress. Performed in V.Kachalov Kazan Bolshoy Drama Theatre. Received awards in several of Russia"s festivals for singing actors.

In 1994 – 2002 Alina worked for TV Company Efir (Kazan) as a producer and TV presenter. A. Ivakh is a soloist of klezmer ensemble Simkha (Kasan, Russia) and Dona (Moscow). Artistic director of Moscow Centre Euro-class.
In 2005 Alina directed a Purimshpil-Show at Klezfest Kiev.

She sang with Ashkenazim in 2001 - 2006. Alina"s solo CD "Feygele" was released in 2003.

Ex-member of the group
Vasily Gafner (Kazan, Russia) - tenor

Graduated from Kazan State Conservatory, choir conducting department.

Vasily took part in recordings of Jamda (2000) and Fun Yener Zayt Lid (2003). Vasily performed with Ashkenazim as a member of the ensemble and a soloist in 2000 - 2004.