CELLIST IAN MAKSIN gave his first recital at age six in his native St. Petersburg, Russia. He has performed as a soloist and as a part of chamber ensembles throughout Europe, Asia, and the Americas.  Ian has performed as a concerto soloist with numerous orchestras throughout the United States and Europe and his live performances and interviews have been broadcast on Natinal Public Radio and its affiliate stations throughout the Unites States.  He has performed at some of the most prestigious festivals such as Spoleto USA, Ravinia, Norfolk, Lancaster, in the United States, and the White Nights Music Festival in St. Petersburg, Russia, to name a few.

Ian has premiered and recorded numerous works by contemporary composers, including a critically acclaimed CD “Sculpting Clouds”.  The album came out on Albany Records in 2007 and features works by Juilliard-based award-winning American composer Eric Ewazen.  Also, in 2006 Ian recorded on the album “Clocks” music by Miguel de Aguila with the celebrated Cuarteto Latinoamericano.

In 2000, Ian became member of the New World Symphony, America’s foremost orchestra for young musicians from around the world directed by Michael Tilson Thomas. During his years with the symphony, Ian has performed as the principal cello and appeared as a concerto soloist under the direction of such conductors as Michael Tilson Thomas, Hans Graf, Andreas Delfs, Donald Runnicles, Zdenek Macal, Stanislaw Skrowaczewski, Yan Pascal Tortelier, John Adams, Lukas Foss and many others.

Outside classical music, Ian has collaborated with many well-known artists in different genres.  He has performed and recorded with P Diddy, Gloria Estefan, Andrea Bocelli, Cirque du Soleil, Barry Gibb, and many others.  As a member of different rock bands, he has appeared on MTV, at the Lollapalooza Music Festival, Milwaukee Summerfest, and many more.

The outstanding cello being used by Ian is a Francesco Rugeri made in Cremona, Italy around 1690, on loan through the generous efforts of the Stradivari Society of Chicago.  The Stradivari Society is a unique organization that supports the very highest level of string playing by assisting patrons  who own the most precious antique Italian instruments and choose to make them available to artists of exceptional talent and ability.