Alexander Boltenko - 2006 Barbershopper Of The Year

Alexander claims he’s the only Russian in the Barbershop Harmony Society, at least the only Russian bass. And he is Russian, born in Stalingrad and came to Kalamazoo to work for a US company (Perrigo) in 1997. All his mature life (since his early 20’s) he was attached to US in one way or the other. He first came to US as a UN translator in 1972. Both of his sons were born in New York City and are US citizens. Most of his professional life he either developed US-Soviet cooperation or worked for US companies.  After returning to the Soviet Union he got MBA in International Business and worked for the Ministry of Medical Industry. In 1989 was offered to head the Soviet Union office of The Upjohn Company, and he became one of the very few Soviets to head a foreign company‘s office. It was one his friends from the Upjohn days who in December of 1998 brought him to Civic to listen to the Mall City Chorus. And since 1999 he’s been hooked for life on barbershop harmony.

 Alexander started to sing at the very early age. His relatives from Ukrainian side (his Mom’s) liked to sing and he often carried the tune and later sang solo at the family gatherings. He was one of the featured soloists of the high school choir that won several local competitions. His choir director wanted him to study vocal art. Instead Alexander chose Chemistry and English. It was his knowledge of English that brought him to UN Secretariat.

Alexander has spent much time and effort to foster Chapter’s relations with the local art community and to break the “best kept secret” in town. In 2002 he initiated barbershop support for the Broadway revival of The Music Man and was awarded Outstanding Achievement Award by the Barbershop Harmony Society. Already winning the second time Barbershopper of the Year award (first was in 2002) he’s determined to win it the third time some time in the future.

His motto is: “Fight, seek, find and never give up!” His only regret is that he hasn’t heard about barbershop harmony earlier in his life, maybe that’s why he “burns” his one year of barbershop life for three. Alexander has been married to his high school sweetheart Tatiana for 39 years.

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