Denis Shapovalov is a versatile cellist, conductor, and composer. He graduated from the Moscow State Conservatory under Natalia Shakhovskaya and won the gold medal at the XI International Tchaikovsky Competition in 1994.
Shapovalov performs as a soloist with renowned orchestras and conductors, including the London Symphony Orchestra under Mstislav Rostropovich. He has appeared in prestigious concert halls such as the Musikverein, the Concertgebouw, and the Barbican Hall.
In addition to his performing career, he taught for 12 years at the Moscow State Conservatory and, since 2014, has been the founder and artistic director of the “Cello Travel International Academy,” offering masterclasses around the world. Since 2022, he has served as a professor at the Perosi Academy of Music in Italy.
Shapovalov is known for his ability to move effortlessly between classical music and rock, as showcased in his crossover project “Rock vs Rococo.” He also composed the “Symphony Fantasy Tchaikovsky–Dvořák: A Letter to a Dearest Friend,” which was performed by the Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra.