Kirill Osherov: Biography, Style, and Journey of a Handpan Master

Have you heard of Kirill Osherov, a Russian master of the handpan? Want to know how this artist stepped into the world of this steel musical instrument? What does the journey look like for a percussionist drawn to exotic and ethnic sound makers?

I first heard one of Kirill Osherov’s handpan compositions about three years ago, and ever since, I’ve been happily following the new sounds he shares across his many social media channels. So, in this article, I’ll be able to walk you through the key milestones of this Russian artist’s musical journey.

In this article, you’ll learn about:

• how Kirill Osherov discovered the handpan
• the various musical projects he has undertaken

This will satisfy your curiosity about this percussionist, who always brings a breath of fresh air to the handpan community whenever he releases one of his melodies.

Now, let’s take a closer look at Kirill Osherov.

How did Kirill Osherov emerge as a handpan player?

Drawn to traditional percussion from an early age, Kirill Osherov is a Russian percussionist and composer who, as far back as 2005, became deeply aware of the importance of musical roots. In 2010, he travelled to Crete to refine his craft at the Labyrinth festival, studying with acclaimed masters such as Pedram Khavarzamini (a tombak specialist) and Zohar Fresco (a frame-drum virtuoso). Alongside these mentors, as well as Misirli Ahmet and Aleix Tobias, he immersed himself in rhythmic techniques from the Middle East and the Mediterranean. Beyond music, he also has a strong foundation in the visual arts: he holds degrees in graphic design (2007) and theatre scenography (2012). This background lets him express himself not only as a musician but also as a visual creator—working in theatre and painting alongside his music—and that multifaceted creativity enriches his sonic world.

With this rigorous training under his belt, Kirill went on to become the only percussionist in Russia to master the Iranian tombak professionally, a rare instrument with a deep, resonant tone. In a country where this instrument is little known, he stands out as a pioneer, bringing the richness of the tombak to Russian audiences. At the same time, he steadily expanded the range of instruments he plays by studying a variety of percussion styles such as the frame drum, the udu, the darbouka, and more.

A melodic percussion instrument invented in the early 2000s, the Hang (or handpan) brought a brand-new harmonic dimension to Kirill Osherov’s playing. Discovering the instrument in 2016 revealed a new gift for melodic composition. That artistic shift took shape the very same year with the creation of an original project, Treugolny Son, which Kirill launched in collaboration with other musicians to blend these new tones with his strong rhythmic foundation. The group name Treugolny Son translates to “Triangular Dream,” and it captures Kirill Osherov’s spirit of innovation. Initially released on the Moscow label LevelDva, Treugolny Son quickly made a name for itself through vibrant performances and a bold approach to live shows, to the point of being seen as one of the most innovative projects on today’s music scene. Listen to one of the band’s tracks below:

What have been the musical projects of this Russian musician specialising in the Hang drum?

Over the years, Kirill Osherov has performed on stages around the world. He has shared the stage with leading artists such as Ross Daly, a legend of Cretan world music, the famous duo Hang Massive, and Russian multi-instrumentalist Nadishana, among many others. Kirill Osherov is also a member of the international Mitos orchestra sponsored by Ross Daly in Crete, where his talent as a percussionist shines alongside musicians from many different horizons.

His name also appears on the line-ups of many prestigious festivals: from Russia’s Usadba Jazz Festival to the Labyrinth Music gatherings in Greece, as well as Wild Mint, KAMWA, and the UFO Hang Fest dedicated to the handpan. This long list of appearances speaks to his artistic reach. Kirill travels the globe to perform and connect, from India to Germany, the Netherlands, and Eastern Europe, offering concerts and masterclasses to an enthusiastic international audience.

Alongside his performances, Kirill Osherov also puts his creativity at the service of other art forms. He composes original music for plays, film soundtracks, and even audiobooks. A natural teacher, he also runs the HangSpace percussion school in Moscow, training many students in the secrets of the handpan and world percussion. Keen to share his art in a different setting, he also regularly runs outdoor workshops, organising music seminars in the heart of the Russian countryside for total immersion in rhythm. If you can’t make it to Russia, there is a masterclass on the Master the Handpan website available, which will help you learn his approach and better master your instrument.

Play the handpan like Kirill Osherov

Today, Kirill Osherov has established himself as one of Russia’s leading handpan artists, combining rhythmic virtuosity and melodic sensitivity with rare ease. His journey, from traditional tombak to international concerts, shows the rise of a complete artist who pushes musical boundaries and inspires a new generation of world percussion enthusiasts. Thanks to the information you’ve discovered in this article, you now have a clear view of Kirill Osherov’s musical career.

Still, it’s worth noting that this level of artistry doesn’t happen without top-tier instruments. So, if you’d like to follow in his footsteps, it’s best to choose handpan models that are as high-quality as possible, like those sold by the online shop Instruments du Monde. Pick from dozens of models, including this excellent 10-note handpan with an ocean-blue finish.

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Russia is far from the only country with talented handpan players. In England, Rosie Bergonzie is one of the few women to have mastered this percussion instrument to perfection. She is one of the best handpan players in the world.