The official date of birth of the band "Anima" is considered to be 1994, though the band had been founded earlier. In the 1990s the band "Echo" broke apart. The band existed at Nizhny Novgorod branch of Union of the composers (for the most part the repertoire consisted of the songs of Soviet composers). Marina Sechkina gathered the friends and they continued to sing together. At first just for their own pleasure. And they varied the repertoir: Russian sacred music, music of the Renaissance and even a jazz. The staff of the band is unusual - 5 persons: soprano, alto, tenor, baritone and bass. This idea seemed to be evident to take representatives of each timbre, but one seldom has the courage to part with a classic four-part. Marina added a baritone because she liked low voices. It turned out to be nice for the Russian music as the bottoms were amplified, and for the Renaissance music – as for the most part it is five-part.
The first concerts took place in small halls of the native city. The band quickly became the musical pride of Nizhny Novgorod. And when in 1995 a famous bass Boris Shtokolov came on tour to the city he was offered to appear on stage with this band. It was then that the band had its name.
During one of the concerts the band was heard by S.N.Shesterikov - colleague-chorusman from Ribinsk. Having taken his advice into consideration, the band went to the competition of jazz bands to Finland, where the band was a first international success. They won the third prize, but they won one more non-material prize about which they learnt much later.
Inspired by success at this competition the band decided to take part in one more contest in Greece. Playing music of the Renaissance epoch brought the band victory they were awarded with a gold medal.
The successes at international competitions strengthened the glory of “Anima” in Nizhny Novgorod. The concerts were visited not only by the fans of a choral middle ages music, but also by the great ones of this world. It was no easy matter to allure the politicians by the music of far past, by the ascetic, strict music devoid of emotions as we see it. But it was possible. After one of the concerts they heard the compliments about them from the governor of Nizhny Novgorod region Uriy Lebedev. There was also an invitation to turn for help in case of difficulties. It was very pleasant.
This offer was recalled when the invitation came from Hilliard-band from Germany to take part in summer master-classes "Hilliard Summer Festival-2000". It was that peculiar award on the Finnish contest about which the band had not suspected. At first, it pleased the fact that the soloist of Hilliard-band John Potter paid attention to them. He was one of the members of jury. Indeed to take classes at such gurus as famous Hilliards is a great piece of luck. Together with this invitation to the band got severe trials also.
The dreams of work with those who are considered to be unsurpassed in playing ancient music met with material problems. The band had glory but not always fees for concerts. And it was not the most terrible thing as the governor helped with money. There was a split in the band. Not all members of the band believed in success or even in the necessity of the creative tour. To replace two soloists from five is hardly easier than to create a new ensemble. It was a success and new voices did the band good. Five young musicians, who were in love with their business, went to Germany, where they not only gained new knowledge and skills, but also proved themselves.
After Germany the professional destiny of the members clarified itself. The band Anima was invited to sing in Arkhangelsk cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin. So foreigners visiting the Russian sacred place bom saw and heard Russian antique. The compositions of Bortnyansnkiy, Chesnokov, Arkhangelskiy, Kastalskiy, became prevail in the repertoire of the band. Among those who visits Kremlin, there are not only tourists, for whom our music is a national exotics, but also professionals. In January 2004 the band "Anima" of the Moscow Kremlin went on tour to ...
The history of the band "Anima", full of unexpected turns, goes on...
In March, 2007 we have finished record of a national disk. We hope, that it is pleasant to you.

Alexandr Lapshin was born in 1982 in Gorky. When he attended a kindergarten, he dreamt of becoming a pilot or a captain of a ship like many other boys. But his parents made him go in for track and field athletics. Even in kindergarten Alexandr sang various songs and his parents were advised to send him to the boys’ choir. So in 1988 he took up studying music earnestly. Frankly speaking, he enjoyed it greatly. In 1997 he entered Nizhny Novgorod Сhoral school. At the same time Alexandr became the member of the chamber chorus "Nizhny Novgorod". While his studying he visited France, Czechia, Germany, Latvia. Since 2000 he has been the student of Nizhny Novgorod Conservatoire named after Glinka. In 2005 has successfully finished the training.He is keen on music, especially vocal. He has been singing in this remarkable band since 2000. To add to this, Alexandr can say that he is an open-hearted person and likes to communicate with interesting people. He also likes good jokes and he is fond of delicious food. Alexandr is single now but hopes it is not forever. He lives together with the parents and his sister.

Sechkina Marina Vladimirovma was born on October 18, 1966 in a workman`s family in Ukrainian town Kramatorsk. At the age of 6 she started attending primary school. At the same time she began to go to musical school. In her childhood she arranged concerts for her parents and neighbours singing songs by Zikina and other well-known performers of that time. She liked to draw very much (this love has not still passed). In 1974 together with the parents she went to the Far East to "the construction of century" - BAM. She finished school in 1983 and entered Khabarovsk College of arts. In 1987 she entered Gorky Conservatoire named after Glinka at conductor-and-choral department. She married in the same year. From the first course she sang in Nizhny Novgorod Chamber chorus "Nizhny Novgorod" under the direction of L.K.Sivukhin.
While her studying she gave concerts together with the chorus of conservatoire in Italy, Slovenia. She sang in a vocal band "Echo", which successfully gave concerts round the country. In 1991 she gave birth to her perfect little son Vovchik. She graduated from the conservatoire in 1992. At that time there started to make their appearance the records of various vocal groups and Marina wanted to found a band of her own for people to gather together and play music they liked. So in 1994 her dream came true. Her husband also a musician supported the idea to create a band and later on rendered the adequate help. In this way the vocal band "Anima" was founded. Since that year all her life has been connected with the band. Marina is a very sociable person. Among her friends there are both musicians and artists and other creative interesting people as well. She is fond of animals very much and she has a wonderful dog.

Birov Sergey Igorevich
I was born in 1971. I took up singing in my early childhood… I didn’t object to my parents’ decision to send me to the boys’ choir. Even then, in distant 1977 it became clear, that my whole life would be connected with music. After the boys’ choir I graduated from Musical College. Later I graduated from conductor-choir Department of Nizhny Novgorod Conservatoire. While my studying I sang in different choral groups. I went on tours to Austria, Germany, Poland, Slavonia, USA. I have been connected with the band “Anima” since its foundation. Sometimes, when the leader permits, I participate in creative projects with other bands. I hope that my best tour is ahead of me. My hobby is collecting CDs. I am also fond of drawing. I am interested in numismatics. I am married and have two children: a girl, Masha by name, and a boy, Roma by name. I’d like to spend more time with them.

Marakunina Tatyana Valerievna was born on 10th of October in 1975. After finishing Children's Musical Choral School "Zhavoronok" in 1991 she entered Nizhny Novgorod Musical College named after Balakirev at conductor-and-choral department. From 1996 to 2002 she was a soloist of Nizhny Novgorod Chamber Musical Theatre. In 2002 she graduated from Nizhny Novgorod Conservatoire named after Glinka the department of "academic singing".

Sitnikov Dmitriy Sergeevich was born on the 12th of June in1981. From 1988 to 1996 he studied at Nizhny Novgorod boys’ choir. From 1996 to 1999 he was a student of Nizhny Novgorod Choral school. In 2004 he graduated from conductor-and-choral department of Nizhny Novgorod Conservatoire named after Glinka. Since 2002 he has been the member of “Anima” band.