Vakhtang Kakhidze, born in 1959 in Tbilisi, Georgia, grew up in a family of musicians and began his musical journey at the age of six as a pianist. After completing studies in choir conducting and composition, he graduated from the Moscow State Conservatory in 1981 and pursued postgraduate studies under renowned mentors such as Nikolai Sidelnikov and Edison Denisov. His early career as a composer encompassed a wide range of genres, including works for drama, film, jazz, and symphonic music, performed across Europe, the United States, Israel, India, and Japan.

In 1989, Kakhidze made his debut as a conductor at the Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theatre with his ballet Amazons. He went on to establish himself as one of Georgia’s leading conductors, working extensively with the Tbilisi Symphony Orchestra, with which he recorded over 25 CDs for major international labels such as Sony Classical. Since 2002, he has served as the orchestra’s Chief Conductor and Music Director, as well as Artistic Director of the Djansug Kakhidze Tbilisi Centre for Music & Culture. Under his leadership, the orchestra has toured internationally in countries including Italy, Israel, Germany, Poland, Turkey, and Belgium.

As a guest conductor, Kakhidze has collaborated with prominent orchestras such as the Prague Symphony Orchestra, Beijing Symphony Orchestra, Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, Kremerata Baltica, and L’Orchestre Royal de Chambre de Wallonie. His collaborations span a wide array of world-renowned soloists and ensembles, including violinists Gidon Kremer and Lisa Batiashvili, pianist Khatia Buniatishvili, opera legend José Carreras, and international jazz stars like Dee Dee Bridgewater, Patti Austin, and Richard Bona. In 2023, his Requiem was premiered to critical acclaim at the Europalia Festival in Belgium, solidifying his reputation as both conductor and composer of distinction.

Beyond the concert stage, Kakhidze is the founder and director of major cultural platforms such as the International Music Festival “Autumn Tbilisi” and the Djansug Kakhidze International Music Festival, which bring together leading classical, jazz, and pop artists. His contributions to music have earned him numerous national and international honors, including the Shota Rustaveli Prize, the Presidential Order of Excellence, and a 2024 GRAMMY nomination for Best Latin Jazz Album. Through his artistry and leadership, Vakhtang Kakhidze continues to shape Georgia’s musical life and expand its presence on the world stage.