Mikhail Bugaev was born in Novosibirsk, Russia. During his years at Novosibirsk State Conservatory, where he studied with Pr. Yuri Mazchenko, Mikhail started his professional career as a member of Novosibirsk Symphony Orchestra and Novosibirsk Kamerata. In 2009, he moved to United States to continue his education, and in 2013 he completed his Doctorate at Michigan State University under guidance of Pr. Yuri Gandelsman.

During his studies, Mikhail participated in masterclasses of Roberto Diaz, Roger Chase, Stanley Drucker, and Valentin Berlinsky. During his stay in the United States, Mr. Bugaev performed regularly with Kalamazoo, Flint, Lansing, West Michigan and Traverse Symphony orchestras; and appeared as a guest musician with Minnesota Orchestra, Grand Rapids, Arkansas, and West Virginia Symphony Orchestras.

As a soloist, Mikhail performed with Novosibirsk Orchestra, Novosibirsk Kamerata and Livingston Symphony Orchestra. An active chamber musician, Mr.Bugaev appeared at festivals with St. Petersburg Quartet, Yuri Gandelsman, Ilya Kaler, Suren Bagratuni and Walter Verdehr. As an educator, since 2012 Mr.Bugaev is a faculty member at Blue Lake Fine Art Camp.