Maxim Kuzin
DR. Maxim Kuzin
Music Director
Born in Ukraine, Dr. Maxim Kuzin has emerged as a versatile orchestral and choral conductor and educator, captivating audiences and musicians across the world with his passion and expertise. He currently holds positions as Music Director for the Palisades Symphony Orchestra and the Thousand Oaks Philharmonic. Previously, he has been leading UC Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra for 7 years. As choral conductor, Dr. Kuzin also co-directs the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies Chorale in Los Angeles.
Dr. Kuzin’s path began in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, where he honed his skills at the prestigious Lysenko Specialized Boarding Music School and the Tchaikovsky National Musical Academy of Ukraine, completing advanced studies in both choral and orchestral conducting with legendary Ukrainian conductors, Yevhen Savchuk and Roman Kofman. He later earned a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Orchestral Conducting from UCLA, studying under Neal Stulberg. His experience in Ukraine included working closely with leading institutions such as the Tchaikovsky National Music Academy and the Reinhold Glier Institute of Music. He also led the Opera Program at the Dnipro Glinka Conservatory overseeing the artistic development of young talent.
Maxim Kuzin approach to Music Director
Throughout his career, Dr. Kuzin has led some of Eastern Europe’s most prestigious orchestras, including the National Symphony and National Philharmonic Orchestras of Ukraine, the National President’s Orchestra of Ukraine as well as the National Symphony Orchestra of Georgia and the Vladivostok Philharmonic in Russia, to name a few. His passion for contemporary music led him to become Music Director for the Ricochet New Music Ensemble in Kyiv, Ukraine, bringing annually a wide variety of modern compositions to major music festivals like Music-Fest (Kyiv), Two Days & Two Nights (Odesa), Kontrasty (Lviv). While in Los Angeles, Dr. Kuzin continued his modern music engagements with Hear Now Music Festival recently dedicated to celebrating the works of living composers.
Opera, operetta, and musicals have always been a significant part of Dr. Kuzin’s career. He has conducted over twenty productions, from classics like Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville” and Leoncavallo’s “Pagliacci” to Strauss’ “Die Fledermaus and Lehár’s “The Merry Widow” to Walton’s “The Bear” and Stravinsky’s “Mavra” among others. His work has spanned historic theaters across Ukraine, Russia, and the United States.
Dr. Kuzin has also demonstrated a long-standing commitment to fostering young musicians. As Head of the Instrumental Division of the Colibri International Arts Competition for Young Performers, and his active role in the young artist competitions of both the Thousand Oaks Philharmonic and the Palisades Symphony Orchestra, many young talents offering performance opportunities and valuable guidance to the next generation of artists. His dedication to education was also evident through his involvement with the Philadelphia International Music Festival, where he conducted orchestras, coached chamber ensembles, and taught music theory alongside musicians from The Philadelphia Orchestra.
A recipient of the Elaine Krown Klein Fine Arts Scholarship Award and recognized as an “Emerging Artist” by Symphony Magazine of the League of American Orchestras, Dr. Kuzin also showcased his versatility by being invited to conduct “Dancing with the Stars” TV show in Ukraine. In addition, his Harvard University lecture, titled “Opera: Why Do We Either Love or Hate It?” showcased his ability to connect with diverse audiences, exploring the profound appeal and complexity of opera. Dr. Kuzin’s journey reflects his dedication to both artistic excellence and the nurturing of future musical talent, making him an artist who continually inspires those around him.