Dmytro Shurov

Dmytro Ihorovych Shurov (Дмитр горович Шров, ; born 31 October 1981) is a Ukrainian pianist, composer, and singer-songwriter based in Kyiv. He was also a judge on the Ukrainian X-Factor for the eighth and ninth seasons, as well as the music producer of the Ukrainian selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 and 2024.

Early life
Shurov was born on 31 October 1981 in Vinnytsia. His father, Ihor, is a poet and painter, and his mother is a teacher and musician. Dmytro started playing the piano at four years old.

Shurov studied in lyceum Auguste Renoir in Limoges, France and in Utah, United States where he sang in the choir and played in the jazz band and the orchestra, which performed compositions of the Baroque period; he also played in the quartet "Barbershop". After coming back from the U.S., Shurov applied to Kyiv National Linguistic University.

Career
Shurov joined Okean Elzy as a session member in 2000. Later in 2001, he became part of the band and gained popularity alongside the increasingly popular band. In 2004, Shurov left the band to join a newly formed band, Esthetic Education, with another member of Okean Elzy, bass player Yuriy Khustochka. Esthetic Education remained active until 2008. In 2009, Shurov started his own project called "Pianoboy" (Pianoбой).

Shurov was a co-organizer of Kyiv's festival Moloko Music Fest in 2008 and 2009 as a part of Gogolfest. He composed music for films, including Khottabych, television series Servant of the People, as well as for comedy and fashion shows. He is a brand ambassador of Yamaha in Ukraine.

Shurov participated in the 2nd Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen, where he spontaneously collaborated with Ellie Goulding in a performance of the song "Oi u luzi chervona kalyna".

Activism
In 2016, Shurov participated in a charitable photography project called "Щирі. Спадщина" (Sincere. Heritage) aimed at raising funds for Ukrainian museums.

In 2018, Shurov became actively involved in advocating for women's rights by joining the HeForShe movement. He and his son were appointed as ambassadors for the movement in Ukraine, focusing on addressing gender inequality issues like domestic violence.

In response to the russian federation's invasion of Ukraine, Shurov became a volunteer. He actively participated in transporting humanitarian aid and organizing charitable concerts for military personnel, medical professionals, and rescuers. These efforts aimed to support the urgent needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (ZSU) and raise funds for tactical medicine. As a testament to his significant contributions, Shurov was bestowed with the esteemed state recognition of the Order of Merit third class, in August 2022.

Controversy
In April 2021, Shurov faced public backlash and controversy for his destruction of a contestant's guitar whilst he was employed as a judge in the 8th and 9th seasons of the Ukrainian X-Factor. Shurov had smashed the guitar as a response to not liking the contestant's song and melodies. It was later revealed that the contestant had received the guitar from his late father.

Personal life
Shurov married Olha Tarakanovska in 2003. The two have a son, born 23 August 2003. The family lives in Kyiv.

External resources

 * Esthetic Education, Киевский Рок Клуб
 * Esthetic Education, Киевский Рок Клуб