Michael Bulychev-Okser (USA)

Artistic Director - Classical Hugs

​Doctor of Musical Arts

Concert Pianist & Composer

​

Hailed by New York Times as "enticing and brilliant", Michael Bulychev-Okser is one of the most thought-after pianists of his generation. Following his acclaimed debut with Manhattan Symphony Orchestra, Michael has performed thousands of solo recitals and orchestra appearances, collaborating with conductors like Kynan Johns, Dmitri Yablonsky, and Robert Lehrbaumer.

Critics praise Michael's "imaginative and intelligent style" (David Dubal), "Elegance and grace the piano is destined to produce" (Cosmo Buono), and "Sheer poetry and panoramic vision" (Las Provincias, Valencia).

Bulychev-Okser's lauded discography includes recordings of Beethoven's "Pathetique" Sonata and "Goyeskas" by Granados (RCA label), "Transcriptions from Past to Future" (Neue Sterne, Germany), and "Music by living New York composers", recorded live at the Barge Music Festival in New York.

​

Mr. Bulychev-Okser's extensive piano career has showcased him in solo recitals in the world's most prestigious stages: Carnegie Hall, Merkin Hall (New York), Kennedy Center (Washington, D.C.), La Salle Pleyel (Paris), Wigmore Hall (London), Heichal Hatarbut (Tel Aviv), The Saal Palace (Alexandria), IBK Concert hall (Seoul), and Centermex Theater (Monterrey).

Winner of many competitions, including Artists International, Michael has been featured on radio (WQXR) and international TV broadcasts: TV1 (Russia), TV3 (Estonia), RTN (USA), and Nippon TV (Japan).

Committed to innovative programming in celebrating the world's cultures, Bulychev-Okser has performed rare Italian paraphrases (Ravenna, 2014), presented a recital by Baltic composers (Tallinn, 2017), and has transcribed Chinese folk songs in a blockbuster jazzy style, his performance on the bank of Yangtze River was shown to over a million viewers worldwide.

Bulychev-Okser is a Founder/Artistic Director of George Gershwin International Music Competition in New York and the "Baltic Stars" Music Festival in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Finland.

​

Michael Bulychev-Okser has held faculty positions at Long Island Conservatory, New York University, and Rutgers University-New Jersey.

​