Maximillian performs on Show 481.

Maximillian Libertor (piano/composer), 18, from Torrance, California, showed a very early interest in music. He began piano lessons at a young age, developing a classical foundation. Those early years shaped his approach to interpretation and practice, leading to his later exploration of early American popular music.

During the pandemic, Libertor encountered the modern ragtime works of pianist and composer Tom Brier. Drawn to the complexity of Brier’s music, he undertook an intensive, self-directed study of his repertoire. What began as a Brier-centered expiration quickly expanded into a much more expansive artistic pursuit. In 2023, he was honored as the “Ragtime Kid” at the Scott Joplin International Ragtime Festival in Sedalia, Missouri, and has since performed at various ragtime festivals and competitions.

Alongside his work as a performer, Libertor is a composer, arranger, and transcriber, largely engaging with ragtime and early jazz. He is also a versatile instrumentalist, performing on trumpet, clarinet, and washboard in a variety of ensemble settings. His work is demonstrative of the study and commitment to the living tradition of early American music.