ABOUT NEVA ÖZGEN

Kemençe player and composer Neva Özgen was born in 1977 in Ankara (Turkey). She started her music education by playing flute, and then clarinet at the Istanbul Technical University conservatory. After pursuing her interest in Turkish classical music, she decided to study and master kemençe and work with Alaeddin Yavasca. Neva has deeply immersed herself in the works and taksims of
 Tanburi Cemil Bey, Münir Nurettin Selçuk and Bekir Sidki Sezgin.

Her father Ihsan Özgen is recognized as one of the most important performers and composers of the school of Turkish classical music and he influenced Neva greatly. She has accompanied him in performances of Turkish classical music in Europe, USA, and Turkey. She played on two recordings, Aegean and Balkan Dances and Masterworks of Itri and Meragi, by the Turkish classical Anatolia Ensemble. She is also featured on a recording entitled Women Composers and Performers of Turkish Classical Music.