Mr. Maxim

Instructor of Balalaika

MM, St. Petersburg State Conservatory, Russia

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Maxim Tolstykh started playing the balalaika at the age of 6 and received a professional education at the Rimsky-Korsakov St. Petersburg State Conservatory. Then he continued his musical career as a soloist in the ensemble Ma.Gr.Ig.Al.

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As a Ma.Gr.Ig.Al musician, he has played over 2,000 concerts in Russia, Finland, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, China and recorder over 10 CDs (instrumental and with soloists).

He has worked with such distinguished singers as Vladimir Chernov (baritone), Konstantin Pluzhnikov (tenor), Olesya Petrova (mezzo-soprano) and conductors – Valery Gergiev (Russia), Fabio Mastrangelo (Italy-Russia).

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He took part in performances of the Leonid Yacobson Academic Ballet Theatre and the State Chamber Musical Theatre St. Petersburg Opera. Since 2022, Maxim has been giving balalaika lessons at the Russian Sound Music Academy and also performing in concerts in Hong Kong and China.