Mikhail Pokhanovski

Mikhail Pokhanovski began his musical studies at the age of 5 with his uncle Lev Zaides. He studied in Central Music School for gifted children in Moscow from 1981 to 1985. Then entered The State Moscow Conservatory where he studied with Prof. Fyodor Druzhinin. He graduated it receiving the Master degree with honors in 1990.

In 1988 Mikhail was a member of the first Russian-American orchestra, which had a tour in US, Soviet Union and Europe. From 1988 to 1990 he was a member of the State Symphony Orchestra of USSR under conductor Vassily Sinaisky.

In 1990 Mikhail was accepted in St. Louis “Solisti dal Mondo” program under Prof. Taras Gabora. From 1992 to 1997 he was a principal violist in McGill Chamber Orchestra in Montreal under direction of Alexander Brott. In 1993 Mikhail was a winner of “Debut” series in Montreal, which followed, by his CBC recital.

In 1995 he took part in European tour with “I Musici de Montreal” under Yuli Turovsky. From 1992 to 1997 he was a member of the Joachim quartet, which toured with numerous concerts and CBC broadcasts in Quebec and Ontario. In 1992-1997 he gave numerous performances in “Allegra” chamber music series with violinists Vladimir Landsman, Richard Roberts, cellist Marcel St. Cyr.

From 1997 Mikhail was an Artist-in-Residence at Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie Michigan. Since then he gave numerous concerts in Michigan area, took part in “Virtuosi” international chamber music series in Frankfurt, Germany, in Kitchener Waterloo, “Virtuosi” and “Groundswell” music series, Brandon Chamber Players, and was a part of the Manitoba Piano Quintet on a tour in Minnesota. He frequently performs in his brother’s series “Oleg and Friends” as a chamber musician. In 2004 Mikhail joined the Faculty of Music at the University of Manitoba as an adjunct professor.