HISTORY OF THE KARPATO-RUS’ ENSEMBLE

The Karpato-Rus’ Ensemble (KRE) was formed in August 2006.  Since the forming of the ensemble, rehearsals have been held in Fairview Park, Ohio. The purpose of the KRE is to promote the culture and values of the Carpatho-Rusyn religious and folk art traditions through dance, music and skits. 

Instrumental pieces are also performed by any member or performing with playing a musical instrument appropriate to the Carpatho-Rusyn region.  These instrumental pieces have consisted of solos, duets or added musical accompaniments to a song or skit performed by KRE members.  

Our debut performance was only after 13 rehearsals and since that time we have performed at Slavic Festivals, the Cleveland Cultural Christmas Garden Dinner and Wedding Jubilarian events.

Performances have also consisted of dancing for the Czechoslovak Genealogical Society International Conference at the Grand Ballroom of the Holiday Inn in Indepedence, OH. 

The Karpato-Rus’ Ensemble was founded by its Director, Mrs. Laurel A. Tombazzi.  Laurel’s past experience as a violinist include performing at the Andy Warhol Museum with the Carpatho-Rusyn music ensemble, Rus’kyj Muzikanti, of Pittsburgh, PA.  She is also a violinist with Beskidy, an Eastern European music ensemble from Detroit, MI. 

In addition to ballet training, Laurel was a dancer for the Cleveland, Ohio based Carpatho-Rusyn dance ensemble, Kruzhok, during the 1980’s.  She was also a dancer and Assistant to the Director for the St. Nicholas Russian Youth Dancers from 2000 to 2003, which is based in  Mogadore, Ohio.