Principal Bassist of Symphony Nova Scotia since 1986, Max Kasper has gained quite a following for the public education concerts/lectures he organizes and hosts at Halifax Public Libraries since 1990.

As well as occasionally hosting Symphony School concerts and narrating “Peter and the Wolf” too many times to count, he has acted as MC for many events in the community over the years and was one of the hosts for the Symphony’s “Musically Speaking” concerts. Of course, his first passion is the Double Bass, which he began playing in the Toronto public school system at the age of ten. The rest just seemed to fall into place… 

Max has appeared as a soloist with the orchestra on several occasions, as well as performing in many solo recitals over the years. He also loves playing chamber music and formed the “Gatto Dolce Duo” with cellist Colin Matthews. They released a CD: “Duets for Cello and Bass” in the Spring of 2008.

Max has a keen interest in Period music; he plays in Halifax with Réjouissance and the Tempest Baroque Ensemble and plays as an extra with the Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra in Toronto.

Now pursuing a second career as a bow maker, Max has the unique distinction of playing on a bass and bows he has made himself. He lives in Bedford with his love, Esther Ricketts, and their cat Finnegan. In his spare time, Max likes to watch TV, read, sleep, and feed Finn.

He has been on the faculty of Dalhousie University and has been a guest artist at the Scotia Festival of Music many times. Max has been an Orchestra Representative on the Symphony’s Board of Directors and was the Chairman of the Symphony Players’ Association for many years.

Max is currently serving a two-year term on Symphony Nova Scotia’s Board of Directors as Musician Representative.