Born in 1984 in Tashkent, Alibek Kabdurakhmanov graduated from the State Conservatory of Uzbekistan with a Bachelors in Percussion Instruments in 2006, a Masters in the same field in 2008, and a Masters in Opera and Symphonic Conducting in 2019.

Since 2007 he has been an accompanist of the percussion group of the National Symphony Orchestra of Uzbekistan, becoming conductor of the orchestra in 2014, and its main conductor in 2018. 

As conductor, he has worked with the National Symphony Orchestra of Uzbekistan, State Academic Symphony Orchestra Almaty, Musical theater orchestra - studio at the State Conservatory of Uzbekistan, Ensemble of contemporary music “Omnibus” Orchestra named “Kurmangazy”, and Youth symphony orchestra of Uzbekistan, among others.

He appeared in many festivals including the International Contemporary Music Festival "Turbulence"; 33 International festival "Moscow Autumn" Sessions of the Youth Orchestra of the World (JMWO); International Festival “Musical Summer Evenings”; International Festival "Euro-Orchestra"; International festival “Drums of the World”; International "Easter Festival", and International festival "Ilkhom-XX".

He has won various awards, including Laureate of the Tasanno Prize in the Field of Culture (2005, 2007); Grand Prix at the Shabyt International Competition (2007); Special prize "for best performance with an orchestra" in the International Competition "EMCY Art for Music Prize" (2006); 2nd prize of the International Competition “EMCY Art for Music Prize” (2006).

Stephen Waarts’ innate and poetic musical voice has established him as a firm favourite with audiences across the globe.

In the 2024/25 season, Waarts makes his debuts with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra performing Brahms Violin Concerto under the baton of Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla, Oregon Symphony and Hannu Lintu with Barber, Orchestre de Picardie and Johanna Malangré with Prokofiev Violin Concerto No.2, and Israel Camerata and Marc Minkowski playing Bach and Mozart. He also returns to the Hallé Orchestra, Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana, Chamber Orchestra of Europe and Szczecin Philharmonic, working with Thomas Adès, Markus Poschner and Sir Andras Schiff.

Highlights of recent seasons include the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Konzerthausorchester Berlin, Berner Symphonieorchester, hr-Sinfonieorchester, Antwerp Symphony Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestre National de Belgique, Fort Worth Symphony, Lucerne Symphony Orchestra and Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, with conductors including Christoph Eschenbach, Sir Andras Schiff, Marin Alsop, Constantinos Carydis, Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla, Dalia Stasevska, Robert Spano, Maxime Pascal, Markus Stenz and Elim Chan.

A passionate recitalist and chamber musician, Waarts’ regular chamber partners include Sir Andras Schiff, Francesco Piemontesi, Daniel Müller-Schott, Marie-Elisabeth Hecker, Timothy Ridout, Tabea Zimmermann, and Martin Helmchen.  Waarts has appeared at renowned festivals including Aspen, Marlboro, Gstaad, and Rheingau. He has also appeared in recital at Philharmonie Luxembourg, Philharmonie Haarlem, Fundación Juan March, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Auditorium du Louvre, Boulez Saal, San Francisco Performances and Vancouver Recital Society. This season includes recitals at Bath Mozartfest, Edesche Concertzaal, Wigmore Hall, and the Concertgebouw Amsterdam.