hello,  this is sibil. i am a conductor based in istanbul with a wide-ranging repertoire that spans from classical to contemporary music, encompassing percussion, chamber music, choral, and symphonic works. 

the beginning

raised in a music-loving family, i started playing the piano when i was 6 years old as a hobby. during my time in elementary and high school, i played solo recitals, accompanied school choirs, composed and performed theater music. i wanted to pursue a career in science, engineering or computer programming, but my parents’ wish for me was to become a musician. my piano teacher who was also a composer said that i could even be a conductor if i worked hard… well, i started to work hard in my university years. i started my bachelor’s with Mathematics, and applied for a double-major in Music next year. and this became the story of how i gained my two degrees: bachelor of science in mathematics, and bachelor of arts in composition. while studying, i realized that my passion for music exceeded my interest for science. as i originally wanted to pursue orchestral conducting, i completed my studies with a master’s degree on conducting.

on the podium

over the years, i have refined my craft through masterclasses with esteemed figures like Gürer Aykal, Rengim Gökmen, Ruben Asatryan, even audited Bernard Haitink’s masterclasses in Lucerne. i also wanted to enrich my knowledge and gain an understanding of choral conducting, so i also attended masterclasses and workshops with Cemi’i Can Deliorman, Burak Onur Erdem, Ragnar Rasmussen, Paolo Lorenço, and Robert Mlkeyan.

my professional conducting career began in the 2015–2016 season as the conductor for the Muğla Metropolitan Municipality Orchestra. since then, i have had the privilege of taking the podium for prominent ensembles such as the Bilkent Symphony Orchestra, Karşıyaka Municipality Chamber Orchestra (KODA), CRR Youth Chamber Orchestra, and Orkestra Akademik Başkent…

milestones & premieres

during my master’s degree, i have worked with Ivan Arion Karst and Amy Salsgiver, who broadened my skills into percussion music and contemporary music. this led me to conduct many world and Turkish premieres of numerous young composers in concerts and festivals. Amy also paved the way for me to collaborate with Türkiye’s leading contemporary music group, Hezarfen Ensemble, to guest conduct concerts, projects, and album recordings.

also, i had the chance to conduct the Turkish premiere of Edgard Varèse’s Ionisation (1931) with the MIAM Percussion Ensemble in april 2017 (which was my dream when entering MIAM). then, i had the privilege to lead the Turkish premiere of Steve Reich’s Jacob’s Ladder (2023) at the 52nd Istanbul Music Festival in June 2024, in collaboration with the Borusan Quartet and Synergy Vocals.

choral music also holds a great place in my career. previously i had the chances to work with children’s and youth choirs, and now i currently serve as music director and conductor of the Vartanants Choir, since june 2022. i also actively serve as a musical advising board member for the Choral Culture Association. 

trusting my experience in new music, i ventured to perform also a choral music premiere as well, where Vartanants performed the Turkish premiere of David Haladjian’s Songs of Love and Death in june 2026. well, i enjoyed this immensely and am deeply proud of it.