SERGEY STAROSTIN was born on January 1, 1956 in Moscow into a musical family from the south. His father was a good singer and harp player wheras his grandmother was the one to introduce him to Russian folk tales and songs. He received his first musical education in a boy's choir before studying clarinet at the Moscow Conservatory.
Quite early on he was interested in Russian folklore, particularly the rich traditions of Russian folk music, which he began to collect and study during travels. Since 1982 he has given seminars and performed as a vocalist and player of traditional wind instruments. In 1987 he started his own radio programme in the Russian broadcasting system introducing listeners to traditional music, and beginning in 1991 he directed a television programme on folk music in Moscow. As author and producer STAROSTIN realised the "World Village Show," a programme on world music for Russian television.
Through his affinity to Russian music and the music of the Lapps, he became acquainted with Mary Boine with whom he has made recordings in Moscow and Oslo. In 1991 SERGEY STAROSTIN joined the Alperin/Shilkloper Duo to form the MOSCOW ART TRIO with which he has performed in Europe, USA, Africa and Japan as a singer and instrumentalist.
Starostin has worked with a great variety of groups and ensembles integrating folk elements in one way or another. Among them is the Russian dance and music ensemble Bilina, the folk quartet Slavichi, Bratchina, an ensemble staging folk operas and the a cappella group Kazachiy Club. Apart from his work with the MOSCOW ART TRIO he currently works with Russian Rock singer Inna Zhelanaya, the Eurasian Art Ensemble and a new Russian Jazz-Folk trio.
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