Aziz Shokhakimov initially burst on the scene at the 2010 Mahler International Conducting Competition where he received second prize. His 2011 season included concerts in Dresden, Milan, Moscow, Darmstadt, Bologna and more. This tremendous young artist will make his U.S. debut with the Oregon Symphony in the fall of 2012, and will return to conduct the Pacific Symphony in the spring of 2013.

At just 22, the inspiring conductor from Uzbekistan made his triumphant debut with the Dresden Staatskapelle, performing works of Beethoven and Auerbach. "The Finale was striking in the unleashing of undreamed-of energy. Many only scratch the surface with excessive tempo, but here there was real depth." Sächsische Zeitung (August 2011) full review

Immediately following his Dresden success, Shokhakimov made his debut with Sinfonia Varsovia in an all-Brahms program featuring the Violin Concerto, the Piano Concerto No.2 and the Symphony no.3. "Dynamite from Uzbekistan!" Wirtualna Polska Kultura

In early 2011, the remarkable young maestro made his debut with the Filarmonica del Teatro Comunale di Bologna. He has been invited to return, in a program slated for May 2012 featuring violinist Sayaka Shoji.

"The set repertoire, with Mahler's earnest Fourth Symphony at its core, had already given an edge to participants who combined intense focus with a strong ability to structure rehearsals. Shokhakimov commanded the orchestra in an old-world manner." (Financial Times)

Selected 2011-2012 Shokhakimov engagements include: Dresden Staatskapelle [review], Staatstheater Darmstadt, Verdi Orchestra Milan and a tour with I Musici de Montréal.

Shokhakimov studied conducting at the Uzbek State Conservatory in Tashkent under the tutelage of Professor V. Neymer. In 2005 he was awarded the State ‘Nikhol’ Prize for talented young musicians. After conducting the National Symphony Orchestra of Uzbekistan for the first time, he was named Assistant Conductor in 2001 and has since led the orchestra in numerous concerts.

In 2002 he made his operatic debut at Uzbekistan’s main State Academic Theatre in performances of Bizet’s Carmen. Since 2003 Aziz Shokhakimov has worked regularly with the Russian Youth Symphony Orchestra, based in Togliatti, and has led the orchestra on tours throughout Russia, as well as in France and the Ukraine.

From 2005 to 2009 Aziz Shokhakimov was a participant in the trainee program of the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Russia, under the patronage of Maestro Vladimir