Biography
Violinist Max Zorin enjoys a multifaceted career as a performer, educator, and artistic leader. Praised by The Strad for his “extremely compelling” interpretations and by Strings Magazine as “simply magnificent,” Zorin brings authenticity, nuance, and a dynamic sense of artistry to his performances.
A dedicated educator, Zorin serves as Associate Professor of Violin at Penn State University and has conducted masterclasses at prestigious institutions worldwide, including the Royal Academy of Music in London, Tel Aviv University, and NYU.
His international career has taken him to leading venues across the United States, Europe, Asia, and South America, including Tchaikovsky Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Salle Molière, Odessa Opera Theatre, and the Henan Art Center in China. He performed with the Saint Petersburg State Orchestra, Odessa Philharmonic, Orchestre de Chambre de Lyon, Williamsport Symphony, Pennsylvania Chamber Orchestra, San Jose Youth Symphony. Summer festivals appearances include the Granada International Music Festival, Aspen Music Festival, Music Alp, collaborating with distinguished artists such as Maxim Vengerov, Itamar Golan, Henry, Demarquette, Romano Pallottini, Philippe Muller, and the Parker Quartet.
As an advocate for expanding the violin repertoire, Zorin premiered numerous works by contemporary composers and embraced collaborations beyond the classical realm. His critically acclaimed music video of "Mack the Knife" for violin and jazz trio earned him the Emerging Artist Award from the Global Music Awards. His upcoming album, Connections (Navona Records), reflects his commitment to diversity and innovation in programming, featuring works by underrepresented composers alongside a commissioned piece that bridges jazz and classical idioms.
As Artistic Director of Rencontres Musicales Internationales des Graves, a summer festival in Bordeaux, France, Zorin curates a unique fusion of masterclasses, performances, and cultural experiences, creating a harmonious celebration in the renowned wineries of Bordeaux.
Born in Israel to a family of musicians with roots in Odessa, Ukraine, Zorin moved to France at the age of five, where he grew up immersed in a rich musical environment. His father was among his principal teachers, alongside Dorothy DeLay, Naoko Tanaka, Peter Oundjian, and Ani Kavafian. At 17, Zorin won First Prize at the Corpus Christi International Competition before continuing his studies in the United States, earning degrees from The Juilliard School, Yale University, and a doctorate from Stony Brook University.
Zorin performs on a violin crafted by J.B. Vuillaume (Paris, c. 1850) and a bow by Edwin Clement (Paris, 2008)