About Me

Born in Denizli, Turkiye in 2005, violinist İlay Çakmak began her musical journey at the age of four under the guidance of her musician sister, first studying piano before turning to the violin. At the age of six, she achieved first place in the entrance examination of the Akdeniz University Antalya State Conservatory, where she started her violin studies with Can Özhan.

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At twelve, she won first prize at the Young Generation Soloist Competition of the Antalya State Symphony Orchestra and made her concerto debut under Taner Demir. She has since appeared as a soloist with the Istanbul State Symphony Orchestra, and in served as concertmaster in a joint concert of the Antalya State Symphony Orchestra and the Doğuş Children’s Symphony Orchestra.

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In 2022, with her own chamber music ensemble, the Arezzo Quartet, they won first prize at the Akdeniz Sounds International Youth Competition.

 

She is currently studying at the Fontys University of Music and Performing Arts in Tilburg with Chris Duindam, following her previous studies with Jolente De Maeyer.