31 Oct 2016

Batswana recently had a taste of the soothing Turkish music at a concert featuring Turkish opera singer, Serap Ciftic and pianist, Nurser Ugan.

The concert, held at Maitisong theatre, was courtesy of the embassy of Turkey.

Born in Izmir, Serap Ciftic started her professional music education at the Opera Department of Performing Arts and Music at Dokuz Eylul University State Conservatoire in Turkey.

She worked with Prof Sevda Aydan, who is considered one of the most successful Turkish opera singers.

Following her graduation, she won the audition at the Cemal Resit Rey Concert Hall in Istanbul and began her professional music career at Cemal Resit Rey Opera House in 1998.

A year later, she joined Antalya State Opera and Ballet and participated in their opera productions and went as a soloist in many operas and concerts in the United States, Latin America and Europe.

As for pianist, Nurser Ugan, she graduated from the St George Austrian High School in 1978 and pursued her professional music education at the Piano Department of the Istanbul State Conservatory.

After returning to Turkey, she completed her university education with distinction at the State Conservatory of the Istanbul University.

Between 1994 and 1999, she attended Dr. Hoch’s Conservatory in Frankfort, Germany and received a special certificate in piano education and opera-musical and song-accompaniment.

Ugan has been teaching full time at the state Conservatory of the Istanbul University since 2000 and performs continuously at concerts both in national and international music venues, festivals and institutions.ENDS