About Ayşe Deniz Birdal

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Ayşe Deniz Birdal is a cellist and composer known for her unwavering commitment to creating and performing music that resonates deeply with listeners. Born in Istanbul on June 24, 1996, Ayşe's musical odyssey has seen her traverse the globe, continually refining her skills and sharing her artistry with diverse audiences.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Education

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Ayşe honed her craft at the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, Corso di Perfezionamento (2019-2022) under the tutelage of Prof. Giovanni Sollima.

 

She pursued her master's degree in cello performance at the University of Augsburg, Leopold Mozart Center (2018-2022), benefiting from the mentorship of Prof. Julius Berger and Prof. Hyun Jung Berger.

 

Her undergraduate years at the University of Augsburg, Leopold Mozart Center (2014-2018) allowed her to lay the foundation for her musical career under Prof. Julius Berger's guidance.

 

In 2013-2014, Ayşe had the privilege of being a guest student at the University of Augsburg, Leopold Mozart Center, where she furthered her musical education under Prof. Julius Berger.

 

Her formative years (2011-2013) as the first cello student of the Leopold Mozart Institute for Highly Talented Children at Mozarteum University, Salzburg, were under the mentorship of Prof. Heidi Litschauer.

 

Ayşe's educational journey also included her time at Lycée de Galatasaray (Istanbul), BILSEM, Science and Art Center for Highly Gifted Children (Istanbul), and the State Conservatory of Istanbul.

 

Languages

• German (C1)

• English (C1)

• French (B2)

• Turkish (Native)

 

 

Awards​

• Andreas Stein Competition, 2nd Prize (2015)

• Liezen Cello Competition, 3rd Prize (2011)

• Rudolf Matz Strings Competition, 1st Prize (2011)

• Ural-Ekaterinburg Mathematics Competition, 1st Prize and Gold Medal (2010)

• IKSV Futures Women Stars Prize (2018) - Awarded by IKSV-Istanbul Culture and Art Foundation and Istanbul Music Festival.

 

                                                                                Scholarships

                                                                                Yehudi Menuhin “Live Music Now” Scholarship

                                                                                Scholarship of the German Culture Ministry

                                                                                CEV Young Talents Project Scholarship

                                                                                Dr. Nejat Eczacibasi Foundation Scholarship

                                                                               

                                                                                Festivals

                                                                                Ayşe has graced various festivals with her musical 

                                                                                prowess, including the Sneakpreview of Amsterdam Cello                                                                                  Biennale, Istanbul Music Festival, Kronberg Academy                                                                                          Festival (Germany), Menuhin Festival- Gstaad String                                                                                            Academy (Switzerland), ISA Music Festival (Austria), and                                                                                      Kaunas Young Musicians Festival (Lithuania).

 

 

Notable Projects

• Ayşe's musical contributions have left an indelible mark on various projects:

• She served as the soloist at the Augsburg premiere of Karl Jenkins' "The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace," a performance commemorated by a documentary released in September 2020.

• Ayşe performed the Augsburg premiere of Charlotte Seither's work "Deixis" for solo cello during the "Klangwissen" Psychoanalysis and Music Symposium.

• Her first composition commission came from the Zukunftsforum Cello Festival in October 2019, resulting in the creation of the cello quartet "Tautropfen."

• A solo CD project, in collaboration with Amsterdam Cello Biennale and Giovanni Sollima, is set to be released in 2022, promising a captivating musical journey.

• Ayşe enjoyed an Artist in Residence position at the Asiago Festival, during which she composed "Beatrix of Joy," a work for 7 cellos commissioned by the festival. Her residency included an interview where she shared her musical ideas and performed some of her solo cello works.

• Ayşe Deniz warmly invites you to join her musical journey—a journey fueled by genuine passion and an unwavering dedication to artistic growth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ayşe Deniz warmly invites you to join her musical journey—a journey fuelled by genuine passion and an unwavering dedication to artistic growth.

 

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