I was born in 1968 on one nice and quiet September evening in downtown Moscow,
Russia to the family of radio engineer (Dad) and an economist (Mom). In 1969, my family
moved to the southern Moscow district of Beliayevo where my parents and our family
nanny Anechka live now. In 1973, my brother Yuriy was born.
I finished Moscow High school # 17 in 1985 and Moscow musical school # 165 in 1982,
majoring in piano. Under the influence of "The Beatles" LP that my father brought me from
a business trip, I got a guitar at the age of 11, a and never let go of it. Started to write lyrics
and compose songs between the ages 11 and 12. When got acquainted with real poetry and
songs, pretended to quit writing both at once.
Russia to the family of radio engineer (Dad) and an economist (Mom). In 1969, my family
moved to the southern Moscow district of Beliayevo where my parents and our family
nanny Anechka live now. In 1973, my brother Yuriy was born.
I finished Moscow High school # 17 in 1985 and Moscow musical school # 165 in 1982,
majoring in piano. Under the influence of "The Beatles" LP that my father brought me from
a business trip, I got a guitar at the age of 11, a and never let go of it. Started to write lyrics
and compose songs between the ages 11 and 12. When got acquainted with real poetry and
songs, pretended to quit writing both at once.
No doubt the university years were and remain the absolute best ones in my entire life,
mostly because of the departmental student concert group called "Agitbrigada". Students
who could sing, dance, play musical instruments, and/or had drama artist talents joined
together to rehearse and give concerts for those who cannot pay for real artists
performances. We would go around the country to sing, dance, and play for orphanages,
for elderly people, for military zones and hospitals, for teenage prisoners, poor villagers,
workers on factories, etc., etc. We never charged anything for our concerts, they were
absolutely free. That was — and still remains — The Code of Agitbrigada. I never missed
a single \concerting tour ("Agitpokhod") after I joined the Department and Agitbrigada. The
history of "agitpokhods" began at our department in 1955. Many songs and plays were
written and produced on stages during past 50 years. Agitbrigada was choosing the most
distant corners of our big country to go and bring people joy and good laughter.
mostly because of the departmental student concert group called "Agitbrigada". Students
who could sing, dance, play musical instruments, and/or had drama artist talents joined
together to rehearse and give concerts for those who cannot pay for real artists
performances. We would go around the country to sing, dance, and play for orphanages,
for elderly people, for military zones and hospitals, for teenage prisoners, poor villagers,
workers on factories, etc., etc. We never charged anything for our concerts, they were
absolutely free. That was — and still remains — The Code of Agitbrigada. I never missed
a single \concerting tour ("Agitpokhod") after I joined the Department and Agitbrigada. The
history of "agitpokhods" began at our department in 1955. Many songs and plays were
written and produced on stages during past 50 years. Agitbrigada was choosing the most
distant corners of our big country to go and bring people joy and good laughter.
April 23, 2005, the presentation of 800-page book about Agitbrigada took place in the main building of Moscow State University.
This 512-page encyclopedia is all about Agitbrigada's enterprise during it's half-a-century of active production on stages of Soviet
Union, now Russian Federation. The ceremony included a glorious 5-hour-and-a-half concert with many generations of
biologists-artists participating. Elderly professors and academicians reminded the audience good old songs, dances, and theatrical
miniatures from years ago. Freshmen who just recently joined the department and Agitbrigada showed knew pieces.
I couldn't miss the reunion and flew to Moscow for the book presentation. Actually, I even managed to sing and play on stages
participating in the concert, - which was completely unexpected. I came to Moscow after all the rehearsals for the ceremony were
finished, and my friends and mentors invited me to present something with only one single rehearsal which was a huge responsibility
and honor for me. The authors of these songs were present in the audience. It was unforgetable experience that I will carry through
all of my life. The full story about the presentation is already written in Russian and waiting to be translated into English...
This 512-page encyclopedia is all about Agitbrigada's enterprise during it's half-a-century of active production on stages of Soviet
Union, now Russian Federation. The ceremony included a glorious 5-hour-and-a-half concert with many generations of
biologists-artists participating. Elderly professors and academicians reminded the audience good old songs, dances, and theatrical
miniatures from years ago. Freshmen who just recently joined the department and Agitbrigada showed knew pieces.
I couldn't miss the reunion and flew to Moscow for the book presentation. Actually, I even managed to sing and play on stages
participating in the concert, - which was completely unexpected. I came to Moscow after all the rehearsals for the ceremony were
finished, and my friends and mentors invited me to present something with only one single rehearsal which was a huge responsibility
and honor for me. The authors of these songs were present in the audience. It was unforgetable experience that I will carry through
all of my life. The full story about the presentation is already written in Russian and waiting to be translated into English...
Getting back to my life story, — Jamie was born May 04, 1990. I had to keep up with my
diploma project, struggling with country's economy falling apart by the day. I had several side jobs
besides the lab bench — I sold books and newspapers from a cart, typed other people's
dissertations and scientific articles for cash, thought of searching for a nurse position in a city
hospital, but it never happen. My parents helped financially as much as they could. After
graduation from MSU, I got a very low-pay position at the Department but soon excepted another,
much more interesting, position at the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences Institute for Medical
Genetics.
diploma project, struggling with country's economy falling apart by the day. I had several side jobs
besides the lab bench — I sold books and newspapers from a cart, typed other people's
dissertations and scientific articles for cash, thought of searching for a nurse position in a city
hospital, but it never happen. My parents helped financially as much as they could. After
graduation from MSU, I got a very low-pay position at the Department but soon excepted another,
much more interesting, position at the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences Institute for Medical
Genetics.
It was a smile of fortune: in the Medical Genetics Institute I worked for the same person I worked for right after school — Dr.
Marina Ye. Neverova. I am very grateful to Dr. Neverova for saving me as a professional at the time when everybody was leaving
science to survive our country's collapse. I even got a good salary — better than both of my parents' ones at least. That was the time
when one's paycheck would turn into ashes by the end of the month due to avalanche-like inflation. Thanks to that job, I could still
afford active participation in Agitbrigada's concerts and tours — my last one before the immigration to US was to Ryazan' region in
Russia's "mid planes" in the winter of 1992. On this picture — Dr. Neverova right after the concert on April 23, 2005 is holding a
brand new copy of a just presented book. It's been 13 years since we last saw each other.
I never had any plans to immigrate anywhere, ever...
Marina Ye. Neverova. I am very grateful to Dr. Neverova for saving me as a professional at the time when everybody was leaving
science to survive our country's collapse. I even got a good salary — better than both of my parents' ones at least. That was the time
when one's paycheck would turn into ashes by the end of the month due to avalanche-like inflation. Thanks to that job, I could still
afford active participation in Agitbrigada's concerts and tours — my last one before the immigration to US was to Ryazan' region in
Russia's "mid planes" in the winter of 1992. On this picture — Dr. Neverova right after the concert on April 23, 2005 is holding a
brand new copy of a just presented book. It's been 13 years since we last saw each other.
I never had any plans to immigrate anywhere, ever...
Well, never say "never". November 29, 1992 I have found myself on the other side of the planet, and it's been some time before I
stopped waking up in the morning and asking myself how is it possible that I actually am in USA.
On a third day of my American existence, I got an Associate Research Scientist position in the Johns Hopkins University Department
of Biology. Being a full-time employee, I entered in 1994 and successfully finished in 1997 a part-time graduate program getting my
second Master's in biotechnology.
For 8 years I was a research tech in the JHU School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics The Stanley Division of Neurovirology.
In August 2006, I switched to the University of Maryland at Baltimore School of Medicine, Center for Vaccine Development where I
work now.
stopped waking up in the morning and asking myself how is it possible that I actually am in USA.
On a third day of my American existence, I got an Associate Research Scientist position in the Johns Hopkins University Department
of Biology. Being a full-time employee, I entered in 1994 and successfully finished in 1997 a part-time graduate program getting my
second Master's in biotechnology.
For 8 years I was a research tech in the JHU School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics The Stanley Division of Neurovirology.
In August 2006, I switched to the University of Maryland at Baltimore School of Medicine, Center for Vaccine Development where I
work now.
magazine www.vestnik.com which, believe me, is much more that a full-time, — it is a non-stop around-the-clock voluntary position.
Val has Master's in composition from NYU, and he plays everything that can be played except for a harp — I think he simply never
tried. Because he dedicated 14 years of his life to his teacher and friend Victor R. Blok, Val knows all the basics of nursing and
paralyzed patient care. He is also a talented caricaturist, excellent professional writer and translator, philosopher, humorist, the man of
a strongest will and complete dedication to his beliefs. Val brought me back to life from a huge personal crisis I've been going through
at the time. And — of course you will laugh and never believe me — but we did buy my father a new car, just like I promised to
myself some 20 years ago. We also got a house in the woods, nearby Loch Raven Reservoir. The basement of our house for a few
years served as Vestnik magazine office and our musical salon. Although the magazine is now closed, the musical salon is up and
running since 2003.
Val has Master's in composition from NYU, and he plays everything that can be played except for a harp — I think he simply never
tried. Because he dedicated 14 years of his life to his teacher and friend Victor R. Blok, Val knows all the basics of nursing and
paralyzed patient care. He is also a talented caricaturist, excellent professional writer and translator, philosopher, humorist, the man of
a strongest will and complete dedication to his beliefs. Val brought me back to life from a huge personal crisis I've been going through
at the time. And — of course you will laugh and never believe me — but we did buy my father a new car, just like I promised to
myself some 20 years ago. We also got a house in the woods, nearby Loch Raven Reservoir. The basement of our house for a few
years served as Vestnik magazine office and our musical salon. Although the magazine is now closed, the musical salon is up and
running since 2003.
And this is "Inych the Waterfall" in Northern Russian Autonomous Republic of Karelia. A birthday gift from my brave water-rafting
friends who discovered the waterfall a few years ago...
friends who discovered the waterfall a few years ago...
help — acids were getting through. We were supposed to get free milk to inactivate acids and other nasty chemicals like phenol and
xylol we were breathing with, but we were underage to officially be allowed to work with all of this stuff, so — no free milk...
There were several lab techs in the Division in 1985, and very soon we all became very good friends — "Litaton" (Natalie
Anosova), "Stepan" (Olga Stepanova), and "Komissar" (Natalia Komissarova). It wasn't a fashion to call each other by first name at
the time among our generation, so Stepan started to call me "Inych", and no one in MSU except for departmental faculty called me any
other way ever since. Four of us still stay in touch. 19 years after graduation, we had a reunion in Rockville, MD. On the photo
above, taken by Komissar's son Ilya, left to right: Komissar, Litaton, Stepan, and Inych.
The historic admittance to the Department of Biology happen on July 28, 1986. That was the beginning of a new era, a flight into sky,
a jump way over my head, — at least that's how it felt. The competition rate in 1986 was 11.7 people per one place.
xylol we were breathing with, but we were underage to officially be allowed to work with all of this stuff, so — no free milk...
There were several lab techs in the Division in 1985, and very soon we all became very good friends — "Litaton" (Natalie
Anosova), "Stepan" (Olga Stepanova), and "Komissar" (Natalia Komissarova). It wasn't a fashion to call each other by first name at
the time among our generation, so Stepan started to call me "Inych", and no one in MSU except for departmental faculty called me any
other way ever since. Four of us still stay in touch. 19 years after graduation, we had a reunion in Rockville, MD. On the photo
above, taken by Komissar's son Ilya, left to right: Komissar, Litaton, Stepan, and Inych.
The historic admittance to the Department of Biology happen on July 28, 1986. That was the beginning of a new era, a flight into sky,
a jump way over my head, — at least that's how it felt. The competition rate in 1986 was 11.7 people per one place.
I never got into the university in 1985. It was a clear indication of my parents having
no "useful connections upstairs". I got a full-time lab tech job in MSU Department of
Biology Cytology and Histology Division, and continued my studies for the next year.
If I will tell anyone at my current lab about the conditions in which we were working,
they'd laugh at me. Who will now believe that a room smaller than our supply storage
served as a lab with three work benches, an office for the boss, the lunchroom, the coat
room, — everything. There were no disposable lab ware at the time, so we used only
glass one. To make it "biologically sterile", we worked with liters of concentrated acids
that evaporated right onto us, and our clothes were getting little holes within a few days.
Even a lab coat (which was not provided by the way, we had to get it ourselves) didn't
no "useful connections upstairs". I got a full-time lab tech job in MSU Department of
Biology Cytology and Histology Division, and continued my studies for the next year.
If I will tell anyone at my current lab about the conditions in which we were working,
they'd laugh at me. Who will now believe that a room smaller than our supply storage
served as a lab with three work benches, an office for the boss, the lunchroom, the coat
room, — everything. There were no disposable lab ware at the time, so we used only
glass one. To make it "biologically sterile", we worked with liters of concentrated acids
that evaporated right onto us, and our clothes were getting little holes within a few days.
Even a lab coat (which was not provided by the way, we had to get it ourselves) didn't
In spite of a chance to get admitted to M.V.Lomonosov Moscow State University
(MSU) being next to zero due to enormously high competition, I always knew it is going to
be The MSU Department of Biology. One couldn't get into the university without very,
very serious work. In 1985, the competition rate was 9.8 prospective students per place.
My parents were told that there is no way getting in MSU without "connections" and/or
certain sum. "Knowledgeable" friends advised us to "set reasonable goals" but my parents
just wouldn't give it up. At that time, they have saved money for a new car, so instead of
bribing someone, they decided to spend this money for tutors to help me with preparation
for exams. It was quite a sacrifice, and I promised to myself that one day my father will get
a new car.
(MSU) being next to zero due to enormously high competition, I always knew it is going to
be The MSU Department of Biology. One couldn't get into the university without very,
very serious work. In 1985, the competition rate was 9.8 prospective students per place.
My parents were told that there is no way getting in MSU without "connections" and/or
certain sum. "Knowledgeable" friends advised us to "set reasonable goals" but my parents
just wouldn't give it up. At that time, they have saved money for a new car, so instead of
bribing someone, they decided to spend this money for tutors to help me with preparation
for exams. It was quite a sacrifice, and I promised to myself that one day my father will get
a new car.
My brother quit the very same musical school after two years of suffering from severe piano hatred in
1981 having no clue that in the future he is to become a well-known Moscow rock musician, equally good
in guitar, base, flute, keyboard, vocal, and composition.
1981 having no clue that in the future he is to become a well-known Moscow rock musician, equally good
in guitar, base, flute, keyboard, vocal, and composition.
In 1999, I've managed to bring my good friend Oxana Polesskaya to US. Oxana also graduated
from MSU Department of Biology, and she was a member of Agitbrigada. We started to perform
together — two voices and two guitars. Amazingly, after seven years without practice we didn't
even need to heavily rehearse — every tone in every song was ready ever since our countless
concerts back in 1991. In a while, Renata Moldavskaya and Natasha Skorik joined us on stages.
"The Guitar Poetry" group was created in 2001.
In different time periods "The Guitar Poetry" had 1 (me) to 9 people actively performing. Special
thanks to Woody Lissauer, Lucy Bord, and Olga Robins who contributed their time and devotion
to our group presentations.
from MSU Department of Biology, and she was a member of Agitbrigada. We started to perform
together — two voices and two guitars. Amazingly, after seven years without practice we didn't
even need to heavily rehearse — every tone in every song was ready ever since our countless
concerts back in 1991. In a while, Renata Moldavskaya and Natasha Skorik joined us on stages.
"The Guitar Poetry" group was created in 2001.
In different time periods "The Guitar Poetry" had 1 (me) to 9 people actively performing. Special
thanks to Woody Lissauer, Lucy Bord, and Olga Robins who contributed their time and devotion
to our group presentations.
We used to sing before the immigrants from the former Soviet Union, mostly elderly people who
cannot afford — financially and/or physically — going to expensive concerts of prestigious modern
Russian artists that time to time come to US. We would perform in subsidized houses and adult day
care centers. Therefore, our audience was not so much different from the one we were used to. We
sang in Russian, Ukrainian, English and Hebrew depending on the audience and occasion. We never
charged a penny for our performances. There was one instance with money formally involved — a
joined concert/fundraising in Baltimore Hebrew University in October 2001 when all the profit —
some several thousand dollars — was sent to support victims of 9/11 tragedy. Here is a link to
cannot afford — financially and/or physically — going to expensive concerts of prestigious modern
Russian artists that time to time come to US. We would perform in subsidized houses and adult day
care centers. Therefore, our audience was not so much different from the one we were used to. We
sang in Russian, Ukrainian, English and Hebrew depending on the audience and occasion. We never
charged a penny for our performances. There was one instance with money formally involved — a
joined concert/fundraising in Baltimore Hebrew University in October 2001 when all the profit —
some several thousand dollars — was sent to support victims of 9/11 tragedy. Here is a link to
Spectr Russian magazine covering this event. Until recently, there were four of us in "The Guitar Poetry" — Oxana Polesskaya,
Natasha Skorik, Renata Moldavskaya and me. But after Oxana had a third son and Natasha got a third daughter, rehearsings became a
problem, and our performances turned into the idea of The Guitar Poetry musical salon.
Natasha Skorik, Renata Moldavskaya and me. But after Oxana had a third son and Natasha got a third daughter, rehearsings became a
problem, and our performances turned into the idea of The Guitar Poetry musical salon.
Val and I got married on February 2, 2001. Sorry, no wedding pictures. We took a lunch time
off that day to quickly run to Baltimore City Hall, got married, and than got back to work. From
my extensive wedding experience, the less ado about wedding, the longer the marriage lasts. I can
tell you that Val was in his black suite, and I was wearing my sky blue high school graduation
dress. It still fitted perfectly.
It is impossible to tell about Val in a few words, but I'll give it a try. Val is everything he wants
or needs to be at the moment — he works full-time at Hopkins taking care of computers systems
in Hopkins ICU units which often means being on-call 24/7. For 15 years, he was an editor-in-
chief, publisher, manager, and you name it whatever else of Vestnik Russian-American
off that day to quickly run to Baltimore City Hall, got married, and than got back to work. From
my extensive wedding experience, the less ado about wedding, the longer the marriage lasts. I can
tell you that Val was in his black suite, and I was wearing my sky blue high school graduation
dress. It still fitted perfectly.
It is impossible to tell about Val in a few words, but I'll give it a try. Val is everything he wants
or needs to be at the moment — he works full-time at Hopkins taking care of computers systems
in Hopkins ICU units which often means being on-call 24/7. For 15 years, he was an editor-in-
chief, publisher, manager, and you name it whatever else of Vestnik Russian-American
