Internationally acclaimed conductor , Maestro Edvard Tchivzhel, currently serves as the Music Director Emeritus of the Greenville Symphony Orchestra.

 “ Maestro Tchivzhel is, simply put, a master… there is an authority and authenticity in his music-making that is indisputably commanding and communicative”- wrote Yo-Yo Ma after performing several times with Tchivzhel.

Edvard Tchivzhel was born and grew up in St. Petersburg, Russia. He graduated from the famous St. Petersburg Conservatory  with the highest distinction in Conducting; his teachers were famous conductors Arvid Jansons , and the legendary Music Director of the St. Petersburg (Leningrad) Philharmonic Orchestra , Evgeny Mravinsky, who appointed Tchivzhel as his Assistant for three years. Maestro Tchivzhel appeared as a permanent Guest Conductor with the St. Petersburg Philharmonic, Moscow Philharmonic, Moscow Big Radio Symphony Orchestra, the USSR State Symphony;  conducted performances in Mariinsky Theater of Opera and Ballet and many orchestras throughout the former USSR. In 1980s Tchivzhel’s career achieved international status with appearances in Germany, England, the Czech Republic , Poland , Romania, Norway, Finland and Australia.

For 18 years Tchivzhel kept position of the Music Director of the Karelian Symphony Orchestra of National Television and Radio. He also was appointed for 10 years the Music Director and Chief Conductor  of the Umea Sinfonietta and the Norlands Opera, Sweden, and performed with the symphony orchestras of Helsinborg, Malmo, Norrkoping and Stockholm.

As associate conductor of the U.S.S.R. State Symphony Orchestra, Maestro Tchivzhel toured widely, scoring great success during a tour in Japan in 1990. In February 1991, Tchivzhel was enthusiastically received during a tour of the State Russian Symphony Orchestra in the United States. Following this tour, he defected to the U.S. and was granted American citizenship. In America, Tchivzhel took his first position as the Music Director of the Atlantic Sinfonietta, NY. He then served for 15 as the Music Director of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, Indiana, and continued his extensive guest conducting appearances in America, Australia, New Zealand (where he served as Artistic Advisor for the Auckland Philharmonic), Spain, Italy, China, Brazil, Mexico, Venezuela, and Romania. 

He is well-known for his moving, precise, energetic and passionate  interpretations. Tchivzhel’s performances have been reviewed by national and local media, highlighting his “high standard, vivid gestures, and strong emotional overtones” (Washington Post), “passion and extravagance… tempered by precision and clarity” (Limelight Magazine), “crisp, polished playing” (The Greenville News), “radiant, elegantly shaped account” (Classical Voice America), “athletic conducting” (Citizen Times), and “thick weeping textures… shaped with aristocratic elegance” (The Mercury News). 

Maestro Tchivzhel was appointed Music Director of the Greenville Symphony Orchestra In 1999. Over 24 Seasons leading the GSO, he has significantly elevated the orchestra’s artistic quality, attracted world-class talent, and introduced innovative programming. Tchivzhel’s enduring legacy has been recognized with The Order of the Palmetto (South Carolina’s highest honor). His artistic impact has been commemorated with proclamations by Mayor Knox White, Senator Lindsey Graham, and President Barack Obama.

To learn more about Maestro Tchivzhel please visit his website at https://edvardtchivzhel.com/

“The International Conducting Lab is hands down one of the best workshops I’ve ever attended. Learning from Maestro Edvard Tchivzhel, who has over 50 years professional conducting experience, is invaluable. The generous podium time with a professional orchestra is unparalleled and absolutely helpful. For an amazing learning experience in a very supportive environment, come to ICL! …Next time this workshop comes ’round, don’t walk to it, RUN!”

-Quinn Mason (2025 ICL Participant)