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This is a workshop offered by the Cyprus Art Music and Dance School of North Cyprus (http://www.kibrissanat.com) for young musicians from all over the world who, through study and performances together internationally renowned musicians-teachers, widen their cultural horizons and deepen their artistic experience as preparation for their professional life.

• International experience with musicians and teachers from Art School of Cypress, Europe. Students instrumentalists and vocalists will be in Houston to work side by side with our students. www.kibrissanat.com
• Two concerts with Full-Orchestra and Choir in Houston and Austin
• Five full days of sectionals and Full-orchestra rehearsals
• Road trip to the State Capitol in Austin including performance and tours with the group.
• Workshops for young musicians who seek a higher level of playing
• Performing Mozart's D Major Mass, Turkish Cypriot Folk Songs, and other orchestral/choral works

Turgay Hilmi (Conductor and Teacher)
After graduating from Ankara State Conservatory in 1979, Turgay Hilmi continued his education in Nuremberg and Stuttgart, Germany. He performed in Nürnberg State Opera Orchestra between 1981-1986. Since 1986 he has been working as a lecturer in Freidrich Alexander University, Faculty of Education, Music Department.

He worked with many renowned orchestras such as Coburg Opera, Jena Philharmony, Vogtland Philharmony, Thuringen Opernhaus, Saarbrücken Radio Symphony Orchestra, Köln Radio Symphony Orchestra, Nuremberg Symphny Orchestra and Nuremberg State Opera Orchestra. He was a member of Kaiserburg, Augsburg and Cornetto Brass Quintetts.

Turgay Hilmi has performed in many festivals throughout Germany, France, England, Poland, Italy, USA, Canada, China, Japan, Luxemburg, Spain and Kuwait, he also performed with Presidential Symphony Orchestra, Çukurova State Symphony, Bursa State Symphony and Borusan Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra of Turkey as a soloist.

Turgay Hilmi is the Honorary Representative for cultural affairs of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in Germany. He is also the general manager of Cyprus Art Music and Ballet School, and handles the international contacts of the School.

Gozlem Ozdegirmenci (Teacher)
Born in Nicosia, Cyprus, Gozlem Ozdegirmenci started her violin lessons at the age of 11 with Prof. Cengiz Ozkok, at the Hacettepe University Ankara State Conservatory, graduating in 2001. She also studied with Daniel Gaede, Professor at the Musikhochschule Nuremberg and former concertmaster of Vienna Philharmony. Between 1998 and 2001, she participated in various international workshops abroad as well.

She gave her first recital at the age of 15 under the auspices of Rauf R. Denktas, President of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. She continued her recitals and concerts in Cyprus, Turkey, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxemburg, Greece, Germany and France.

After graduating, she performed as violinist in Hacettepe University Academic Symphony Orchestra. Moreover, she played as a guest artist in Presidential Symphony Orchestra of Turkey, Ankara State Opera Orchestra and Cyprus State Orchestra.

In 2005, she founded Cyprus Art Music and Ballet School with Turgay Hilmi. Ozdegirmenci is currently a director of Cyprus Art and instructor in the violin department.

Cyprus Art Youth Chorus
Cyprus Art Youth Chorus aims to bring talented children of Northern Cyprus together and lead them into the world of classical music. Cyprus Art Youth Chorus was established in May 2006 and has given numerous concerts in Cyprus and abroad.

Friendship Concert of Turkish Republic of North Cyprus and Malta was on the 31st August 2008 at Bellapais Monastry. Collegium Musicum Choir of St. Johns Co-Cathedral Valletta, Antalya State Opera and Ballet Orchestra and Cyprus Art Youth Chorus performed Gabriel Faure’s “Requiem” conducted by Maestro Dion Buhagiar.

The concert was repeated in Valletta on 8th September 2007 on Malta’s Republic Day and was conducted by Turgay Hilmi. On the 5th November 2008 Cyprus Art Youth Chorus had the honour of performing in the presence of Pope Benedict XVI at Vatican. June 2009, Cyprus Art Youth Chorus participated France Music Festival and gave two concerts in Rennes with Ars Juvenis Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Patrick Otto.

September 2009, Cyprus Art Youth Chorus performed Carl Orff’s “Carmina Burana” in Kyrenia Amphitheater with Nürnberg Lehrergesangverein and Aegean Philharmony conducted by Maestro Bernd Dietrich.

Sample Daily Schedule

• 8:00AM - Sectionals
• 9:30AM - Ensemble Rehearsals
• 11:00AM - Lunch Break
• 12:00PM - Combined Choir and Orchestra Rehearsal
• 4:00PM - Sectionals
• 5:30PM - End Day
• Social Events in the evening
• Performances Thursday through Saturday in Houston and in Austin

See The Flyer (PDF)

Space is limited so don't wait! If you have any questions or comments please contact Lisa Black at lblack@ccisd.net or Matt Tavilson at mtavilso@ccisd.net.