BREAKING BOUNDARIES both musical and geographical, cellist, composer and multilingual vocalist IAN MAKSIN has created his own unique style by blending elements of different genres and traditional music from around the globe in a new way using his cello as the main unifying force.

ONE-MAN ORCHESTRA: In addition to cello, he used an electronic device called the loop pedal, which allows him to create "loops" or layers by recording and replaying his own playing in real time.

SINGING IN 30 LANGUAGES: What began as a hobby and a passion for linguistics and travel has become part of a unique concert experience. At this time Ian Maksin sings in Ukrainian, Polish, Russian, English, Farsi, Armenian, French, Italian, Arabic, Hebrew, Mongolian, Bambara (one of the tongues spoken in West Africa) and many other exotic languages. Most of this repertoire was amassed by Maksin during his world travels, jam sessions and collaborations with local musicians. Many of his original songs and instrumental compositions are also infused with flavors of ethnic music from countries and regions where he drew inspiration from: Mongolia, West Africa, Middle East, the Balkans, Andalusian flamenco.

 He began playing guitar and piano at age 3 and cello at age 6 at the School for Gifted Children in Leningrad and then came to the USA at 16 to continue studies at the Manhattan School of Music in New York City and Duquesne University in Pittsburgh.