Aktan Odabaşı

AKTAN ODABAŞI Young Cellist Born: 2014, Ankara, Türkiye Current Institution: Bilkent University, Faculty of Music and Performing Arts Instrument: Cello Current Teacher: Artur Rahmatulla BIOGRAPHY Aktan Odabaşı, born in Ankara in 2014, is a young Turkish cellist currently studying cello at Bilkent University Faculty of Music and Performing Arts in the class of Artur Rahmatulla. He began his formal cello education in the 2021–2022 academic year and has continued his musical development through regular study, performances, competitions and international masterclasses. In July 2022, Aktan was accepted to the cello masterclass of Indira Rahmatulla in Kalamata, Greece. During the Kalamata Music Festival, he also had the opportunity to work with cellist Paolo Bonomini. As part of the festival, he performed in two concerts featuring cello duo and cello-piano repertoire. He has participated in international competitions and received First Prize awards, including the London Classical Music Competition – Kids Group and the New York International Competition in 2023, as well as First Prize at the London Classical Music Competition in 2024. Aktan has continued to develop his musicianship through masterclasses with distinguished cellists and educators, including Çağ Erçağ (2024), Nil Kocamangil (2025), Dilbağ Tokay (2025), Victor Julien-Laferrière (2025) and Poyraz Baltacıgil (2025). In 2025, he performed as a cello soloist with the Ordu Philharmonic Association Orchestra, presenting Popper’s Polonaise de Concert. In 2026, Aktan was selected as the youngest participant of the Young Talents Platform of ENKA Sanat, an important opportunity for young musicians in Türkiye. In April 2026, he won the soloist auditions for the 23 April concert of Bilkent Symphony Orchestra. As the youngest soloist selected that year, he performed Haydn’s Cello Concerto in C Major with the Bilkent Symphony Orchestra. Aktan continues his cello studies at Bilkent University under the guidance of Artur Rahmatulla, with a particular focus on developing his musical expression, technical abilities and performance experience. SELECTED MASTERCLASSES * Indira Rahmatulla – Kalamata, Greece, 2022 * Çağ Erçağ – 2024 * Nil Kocamangil – Cello Days, 2025 * Dilbağ Tokay – 2025 * Victor Julien-Laferrière – 2025 * Poyraz Baltacıgil – 2025 SELECTED PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE * Bilkent Symphony Orchestra – Haydn, Cello Concerto in C Major, soloist, 2026 * Ordu Philharmonic Association Orchestra – Popper, Polonaise de Concert, cello soloist, 2025 * Kalamata Music Festival, Greece – Cello Duo and Cello-Piano performances, 2022 * Ankara Anatolian Fine Arts Music High School – Concert performance, 2022 AWARDS * First Prize – London Classical Music Competition, Kids Group, 2023 * First Prize – New York International Competition, 2023 * First Prize – London Classical Music Competition, 2024 CURRENT STUDIES Bilkent University Faculty of Music and Performing Arts Cello Department Teacher: Artur Rahmatulla