Maxwell Spiers studied oboe and piano at the Royal College of Music with John Anderson, Christopher Cowie and Ruth Gerald, continuing his cor anglais studies with Christine Pendrill, Michael Winfield and Sue Bohling. After a year with the National Orchestra of Malta, he returned to the UK and in 2001 was appointed Principal Cor Anglais of the Royal Ballet Sinfonia, a position he held for 24 years.

As a freelance orchestral musician, Max has appeared as guest Principal Cor Anglais with all of the London symphony orchestras. His work currently includes regular engagements with the London Symphony Orchestra, with whom he has performed on numerous film and commercial recordings, as well as the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.  He has also worked with the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra and Singapore Symphony Orchestra, and is a regular guest with English National Ballet Philharmonic, English National Opera and the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.

Alongside his performing career, Max has given international masterclasses in Malta and Singapore. He is Senior Wind Tutor for the South London Youth Orchestra and is a member of the professorial staff at both the Royal College of Music and Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance.