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The Turkish bassoonist, conductor and composer, Burak Ozdemir [Ödzemir], started his music studies at age 10 at Istanbul Conservatory on both bassoon and piano majors. He received his master’s degree from University of Arts-Berlin (UdK- Berlin). He graduated in May 2010 from The Juilliard School’s prestigious Artist Diploma in Performance Program, honored as the first bassoonist being selected to the program in history.
World-renowned for his expressive and impassioned performances, Burak Ozdemir is founder and artistic director of Juilliard-based Baroque ensemble Musica Sequenza, performing music ranging from Renaissance to Classical era on both period and modern instruments. He has appeared as a soloist with The Juilliard Symphony, Istanbul Philharmonic, Französischer Dom Orchester and Kammerorchester Berlin. His recital credits include Peter J Sharp Theater, Alice Tully Hall, Is-Bank and Schloss Glienicke to name a few.
A passionate chamber musician, he has collaborated with William Christie & Les Arts Florissants, Nicholas McGegan, Fazil Say, Monica Huggett, Nadja Zwiener, Andreas Scholl and many others. Included among his previous musical affiliations are posts with the Istanbul State Opera and Netherlands Symphony Orchestra. He also performs frequently as a soloist and chamber musician worldwide.
Among his recent prizes are Turkey Young Talent 1st Prize (2005), Istanbul Jazz Festival Young Artists 1st Prize (2006), Paul Hindemith Foundation Prize (2007) and Juilliard Concerto Competition 1st Prize (2010). Trendsetter magazine launched a series of independent artists in 2007, with first issue being two-page interview with Burak Ozdemir.
In addition to performing, Burak Ozdemir is also an avid electro-acoustic music composer, writing music for acoustic ensembles and live electronics, interactive computers, mixed media, dance, stage and film. His first opera production Fuga - The Electro-Baroque Opera had its world premiere performance at Baruch Black Box Theater, New York City in 2010. He holds honorary fellowships as a composer and performer in DAAD Berlin, Gustav Kettel Foundation, Paul Hindemith Gesellschaft, American Turkish Society, SYLFF, Asim Kocabiyik Foundation, Borusan Culture and Art Foundation, Dance Theater Workshop and Tokyo Foundation as well as scholarships in honor of Jerome Lewis and Ahmet Ertegun Memorial Scholarship. |
