Gennady graduated from Kiev State Tchaikovsky Conservatoire in 1990, and entered the Russian Gnessin Academy of Music the same year, having studied with professor Yuri Kurdyavtsev. During his studies he became a prize-winner of All-Russian competition of Woodwind instruments (1991).

1992-1994 – the soloist of Russian Symphony Orchestra under Veronika Dudarova. From 1994 to 2003 he was an artist of Russian National Orchestra under Mikhail Pletnev.

From 2003 to 2012 he was an orchestra artist of National Philarmonic Orchestra of Russia under Vladimir Spivakov

In 2001 Gennady participated in the organisation of the Moscow Classic Orchestra, its enterprise performances and concerts in Moscow and Ukraine.

Gennady Shamin is the organiser and co-founder of Moscow Open Yuri Dolzhikov Contest-Festival of Woodwind Performers (2012-2016). For many years Gennady has been working as a bassoon teacher in Gnessin School of Music and Prokofiev Children Music School. Among his students there are prize-winners of international and national competitions.

He is a Concert Department Deputy Director in Gnessin School and an administrator of the Gnessin Virtuosi orchestra.