Vitaly Iosifovich Margulis (16 April 1928 – 29 May 2011) was a distinguished Ukrainian-born classical pianist, musicologist, and teacher. Born in Kharkiv, then part of the Soviet Union, Margulis began his piano education under the tutelage of his father, whose own teacher had studied with the renowned composer Alexander Scriabin. Margulis furthered his studies at the Leningrad Conservatory, where he later became a faculty member, teaching piano from 1958 until his emigration to the West in 1974.

In 1975, Margulis was appointed as a full Professor at the Hochschule für Musik Freiburg in Germany. His career continued to flourish, and in 1994, he took on the role of Professor of Piano at the University of California, Los Angeles. Margulis was also known for conducting piano master classes globally, sharing his expertise with students around the world.

Throughout his career, Margulis was associated with several important pupils, including Bernd Glemser, Wolfram Schmitt-Leonardy, Ingrid Fliter, and Polina Leschenko. He passed away in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 83.