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.