Maxim Kuzin, Music Director
Ukrainian-born conductor Maxim Kuzin has
garnered international acclaim in the orchestral and choral
spheres. He is celebrated for his commitment to nurturing new
talent, educational outreach, and uncovering hidden gems of
classical music. His career spans many roles, including
currently the Music Director of the Thousand Oaks
Philharmonic, the UC Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra, and the
newly appointed Music Director of the Palisades Symphony. His
influence extends to the Irvine Classical Players Youth
Orchestra and the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies Chorale
in Los Angeles. Dr. Kuzin has led National Symphony Orchestra
of Ukraine, National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine,
National Symphony Orchestra of Georgia (Tbilisi), National
Radio Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine, National President
Orchestra of Ukraine, and Vladivostok Philharmonic Orchestra
(Russia), among others.
Dr. Kuzin received his doctoral degree in Orchestral
Conducting at UCLA, where his mentor was Professor Neal
Stulberg. Before moving to the United States in 2014, he was
part of the vibrant music scene in Ukraine, contributing to
the Tchaikovsky National Music Academy and the Reinhold Glière
Institute of Music.
As a champion of contemporary music, Dr. Kuzin led the
Ricochet New Music Ensemble in Kyiv, performing at Ukraine's
top music festivals and bringing modern compositions to the
forefront of the classical music scene. His operatic endeavors
have included over twenty different productions by Donetsk
Opera Theater, Dnipro Opera Theater, Kyiv National Operetta
Theater, UCLA Opera, and Opera UCSB. Reaching beyond the
mainstream classical audience, he conducted the Ukrainian
version of 'Dancing with the Stars.' Dr. Kuzin has been
recognized as an Emerging Artist by the League of American
Orchestras' Symphony Magazine and received the Elaine Krown
Klein Fine Arts Scholarship Award.
In his academic work, Dr. Kuzin has lectured at Harvard and
other institutions, and served on the faculty of the
Philadelphia International Music Festival, as well as Head of
the Instrumental Division of the Colibri International Arts
Competition For Young Performers. He is a frequent judge at
various young artist competition. He has also held prestigious
teaching positions as the Music Director and Associate
Professor of Instrumental Conducting at the Reinhold Glier
Kyiv Institute of Music, Head of Opera Program and Music
Director of Opera Productions at Dnipro Glinka Conservatory of
Music, and Assistant Conductor at the National President’s
Orchestra of Ukraine.
To his newest role as Music Director of the Palisades
Symphony, Dr. Kuzin brings experience, passion for music
education, and dedication to the classical repertoire. This
appointment marks a new chapter in his career, in which he
aims to enrich the cultural fabric of this community through
innovative programming, educational initiatives, and the
promotion of musical excellence. Under his leadership, the
Palisades Symphony Orchestra is poised to embark on a journey
of artistic growth and community engagement, continuing to
make classical music accessible and inspiring to all.