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Orhan Öner Özcan

Orhan Öner Özcan
COMPOSER | CONDUCTOR

ABOUT

ORHAN ÖNER ÖZCAN

Known for his work in opera and choral music, Özcan reinterprets historical figures and the cultural heritage of Anatolia through a contemporary musical language. Particularly drawn to large-scale, dramatically powerful vocal-stage works, the composer employs an approach that places the human voice at the center of the narrative, constructing leitmotif-based textures and character-driven musical structures. Rather than directly quoting folk music elements, Özcan develops an original musical language inspired by their formal and conceptual characteristics. Among his prominent works are Elegy for Atatürk, Yunus Emre Cantata, and Aşık Veysel Stage Cantata, while his work on the two-act opera Selvi Boylum Al Yazmalım continues.

Beginning his musical journey at the age of seven with piano training, Özcan graduated from the Opera Department of Istanbul University State Conservatory and the Composition and Orchestral Conducting Department of Hacettepe University State Conservatory. He began his orchestral conducting training within the lineage of Prof. Rengim Gökmen’s school and studied conducting techniques with Volker Hempfling, Sabine Horstmann, Markus Baisch, Vladimir Ponkin, and Tulio Gagliardo. Starting his professional career at the Duluth Opera Festival in the USA, Özcan has conducted the orchestras of the Samsun, Mersin, Antalya, and İzmir State Opera and Ballet, as well as the CRR Symphony and İzmir KODA Orchestras. He has conducted all the choirs within the State Opera and Ballet and held various administrative positions within the institution.

Alongside his artistic activities, Özcan continues his academic pursuits, currently completing his doctoral studies at Dokuz Eylül University State Conservatory. As the founder of Opera Stüdyo—an initiative revived nearly seventy years after its Republican-era predecessor—he pioneers training and production activities for young artists, deeply rooted in stage practice.

 

ACADEMIC BACKGROUND

Doctorate in Orchestral Conducting (Ongoing)

Dokuz Eylül University State Conservatory | Advisor: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Girgin

Master’s Degree in Orchestral Conducting (2020)

Hacettepe University Ankara State Conservatory | Advisor: Prof. Rengim Gökmen

Bachelor’s Degree in Opera and Voice (2008)

Istanbul University State Conservatory | Instructor: Lynn Trepel

Part-Time Program in Musical Theatre (2001)

Istanbul University State Conservatory | Instructor: Haldun Dormen

ACADEMIC PUBLICATIONS, SEMINARS & INTERVIEWS

Preparation Processes of Opera Orchestras for Performances

Dokuz Eylül University Institute of Fine Arts, Doctoral Thesis, Ongoing

Interview on the “Aşık Veysel Stage Cantata”

Andante Magazine, 2023

Periods and Styles in Music

Dokuz Eylül University, Orchestral Conducting Department, 2023

An Overview of Art and Art Institutions in Europe During and After the Pandemic

Dokuz Eylül University, Analysis of Music and Opera Arts in the Context of Sociology, 2022

Are Facts True Because They Change?

Dokuz Eylül University, Philosophy and Ethics of Science, 2022

Art in the Electrical Outlet

Bilim ve Ütopya Magazine, November 2022

Homage to the Cherished Memory of Atatürk from Composer-Conductor Orhan Öner Özcan

Andante Magazine, November 2021

A Short Analysis of O. Ö. Özcan’s “Yunus Emre Cantata” in Terms of Conducting Techniques

Maltepe University International Fine Arts Congress, 2021

Preparation Processes of Opera Choirs for Performances

Hacettepe University Institute of Fine Arts, Orchestral Conducting Department, 2020

Orhan Öner Özcan Choral Conducting Workshop

20th Nevit Kodallı Choirs Festival, 2019

Analysis of Yalçın Tura’s “The Epic of Ali of Keshan” in Terms of Conducting Techniques

Hacettepe University Institute of Fine Arts, Master’s Thesis, 2018

MASTERCLASSES

Advanced Conducting Techniques Summer Academy (Certified)

Prof. Rengim Gökmen | İzmir, 2018

Conducting Techniques on the Works of Mussorgsky

Vladimir Ponkin | Bilkent University, 2017

Advanced Conducting Techniques Summer Academy (Certified)

Prof. Rengim Gökmen | İzmir, 2016

Choral Conducting Workshop (Certified)

Prof. Volker Hempfling | ITU MIAM, 2012

Choral Conducting Workshop (Certified)

Sabine Horstmann | ITU MIAM, 2012

ADMINISTRATIVE ROLES

Consultant, State Opera and Ballet 4/B Vocal Audition

İzmir State Opera and Ballet Directorate, November 2024

Member of the Technical Board & Acting Chorus Master

İzmir State Opera and Ballet Directorate, September 2021

Consultant, State Opera and Ballet 4/B Vocal Audition

State Opera and Ballet General Directorate, April 2021

Member of the Technical Board & Acting Chorus Master

State Opera and Ballet General Directorate, October 2017

Observer, Choir Artist Auditions

Mersin State Opera and Ballet Directorate, October 2016

Member of the Technical Board & Acting Chorus Master

Mersin State Opera and Ballet Directorate, August 2015

Acting Assistant Chorus Master

Samsun State Opera and Ballet Directorate, November 2014

Conductor, Administrative and Financial Director of Children’s Ballet and Children’s Choir

Samsun State Opera and Ballet Directorate, August 2014

Regional Coordinator

Samsun State Opera and Ballet Directorate, March 2014