Maksim Kulagin

Maksim graduated from Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory with a Master degree in chamber music and concertmaster, received a Postgraduate degree in solo piano performance and music pedagogy. He has studied under some of the greatest pianists and pedagogues, including Professors Vera Gornostaeva, Denis Chefanov, Daria Petrova, Yuri Bogdanov, Dmitriy Teterin, Polina Fedotova, Elena Savelieva, and Dmitry Galynin. But the greatest influence on his piano style has Professor Aleksey Nasedkin (student of Heinrich Neuhaus and one of the most outstanding Russian musicians of the second half of the XX century). Having spent more than 8 years in his class Maksim won many awards and became a prizewinner of more than 20 international competitions in Russia, Italy, France, Spain, Finland, Ukraine, Germany, Belgium.

After graduating from the Conservatory, Maksim continued his studies in Europe with such piano masters as Timur Sergeyenia (Belgium, Leuven) and Aquilles Delle Vigne (Portugal, Coimbra) as well as maintained an active concert schedule (solo performing).

Since 2008 Maksim regularly performs solo recitals, as well as with orchestras in Russia, Belgium, Portugal, Greece, Italy, Germany, France, Spain, the Czech Republic, and other countries. He has performed as a soloist with the Yaroslavl Symphony Orchestra (conducted by People's Artist of Russia Murad Annamamedov, Honored Artist of Russia Anatoly Oselkov), Moscow Chamber Orchestra "CANTUS FIRMUS"(conducted by Aleksandr Khurgin), Moscow State Symphony Orchestra (conducted by Aleksande Sidnev), National Philharmonic Orchestra of Russia (conducted by Honored Artist of Russia Vladimir Simkin), Russian exemplary national orchestra (conducted by Azat Shakhmukhametov), West Bohemian Orchestra (Czech Republic, conducted by Alim Shakhmametev), Spoleto Theatre Nuovo Orchestra (Italy, conducted by Filipe Arlia), "Mihail Jora" Philharmonic Orchestra of Bacau (Romania, conducted by Ovidiu Balan), Magdeburg Philarmonic Orshetra (Germany). Maksim had performances in ensemble with People’s Artist of Russia Sergei Pishchugin (violin), Honored Artist of Russia Aleksand Bobrovskiy (alto), Pavel Minev (Bulgaria, violin), soloists of the Bolshoi Theatre Oksana Lesnichaya (coloratura soprano) and Olga Deyneka- Boston (mezzo-soprano), guest soloist of Vienna Opera Termine Zaryan (Armenia, coloratura soprano), soloist of Stanislavsky Music Theatre Ksenia Muslanova (soprano) and many other musicians.

Maksim is not only an active performer, but also conducts pedagogical and organizational activities. Has experience working with both the youngest children and adult university students. After a few years of work at the Central Music School at Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory and V.S. Popov Academy of Choral Art, more than a dozen students have become laureates and winners of international competitions. Maksim also works as a judge at the jury penal at international competitions, gave master classes at summer academies in Yaroslavl (in 2016, 2019, 2022), Suzdal (in 2017) and Moscow (in 2017). As manager, Maksim was director of the "6th International Competition of Young Pianists named after A.D. Artobolevskaya" (2012), "7th International Competition of Young Pianists named after A.D. Artobolevskaya" (2017).