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 and abroad.  He has performed at some of the most prestigious festivals such as Spoleto USA, Ravinia, Norfolk in the United States, and the White Nights Music Festival in St. Petersburg, Russia, to name a few.

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.

 In 2000, Ian was invited to join 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 cellist 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. 

Ian has been frequently invited as a guest principal cellist to perform and record with different chamber orchestras including the Atlantic Classical Orchestra, Pro Corde Strings, Chicago Virtuosi, Spoleto USA Orchestra, Ars Viva, as well as many others. 

Outside classical music, Ian has collaborated with many well-known artists in different genres.  He has performed and recorded with Andrea Bocelli, P Diddy, Snoop Dogg, Gloria Estefan,  Cirque du Soleil, Barry Gibb, Smokey Robinson, 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.

 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.  In 2006, he recorded on the album “Clocks” music by Miguel de Aguila, a collaboration with the celebrated Cuarteto Latinoamericano.   Ian’s new  CD titled “Solo Flight” has been released in January 2010 and is an eclectic compilation of works for cello solo ranging from Bach Cello Suites to a new piece by a Chicago-base composer Ilya Levinson, as well as a suite for solo cello by Spanish cellist and composer Gaspar Cassado.