Alexei Barakov was born in 1982 in Kemerovo, Russia and started to study accordion in his native town at the Special School for Music in the class of L. Chernobaeva. In 1999 he entered the St.-Petersburg University for Culture and Arts (class of Prof. N. Kravtsov). Since then Alexei took part in and became the prize-winner of numerous international competitions such as the Beloborodov International Competition for Performers Of National Instruments in Tula, Russia (2000, 3rd Prize), «the Peter & Paul Assemblies» in St.-Petersburg (2001, 1st Prize), the Citta Di Lanciano in Italy (2003, 2nd Prize), «Northern Cup» for performers on national instruments in Cherepovets, Russia (2004, 1st Prize). In 2005 he won the 1st Prize at the Citta Di Lanciano Competition. At present Barakov is on post-graduate studies at the St.-Petersburg University for Culture and Arts. He actively performs in concerts having toured Russia, Estonia, Kazakhstan, Moldavia and playing in best halls. He collaborated with such orchestras as the St.-Petersburg Radio and Television under S. Gorkovenko, ensemble of national instruments «Skomorokhi» (St.-Petersburg), the Cherepovets Youth Orchestra of National Instruments and others.