About
Turkish pianist and conductor Ceyda Ayanoğlu is an emerging talent in the field of orchestral and operatic conducting. She graduated with honors from the piano department of Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University Istanbul State Conservatory and participated in numerous international piano masterclasses with renowned pianists. She later pursued a second bachelor's degree and master's degree in orchestral conducting in the Netherlands, Conservatorium Maastricht under the guidance of Arjan Tien.
She has collaborated with a variety of orchestras, including PhilZuid, Het Klassiek Collectief, VU Orkest, Goois Symfonie Orkest, Nieuw Nijmeegs Kamerorkest, Orkest van Utrecht, the Berlin Opera Academy Orchestra, and the Orchestre National des Jeunes du Luxembourg. She has refined her conducting technique in masterclasses with esteemed conductors such as Orhan Şallıel, İbrahim Yazıcı, Jan Schumacher, Josef Suilen, Lior Shambadal, Federico Santi, Antony Hermus, David Reiland, Sander Teepen, and Tim Redmond.
In 2024, she was selected by Opera Zuid as the assistant conductor for a Rossini production, where she also supported rehearsals by playing piano accompaniments. She was subsequently invited back to assist Karel Deseure with Puccini Le Villi. Additional assistant conducting engagements include Hänsel und Gretel with the Berlin Opera Academy and the Spring Symphonic Project with the Luxembourg Youth Orchestra, among many others in the Netherlands and at Conservatorium Maastricht.
Ceyda is also an experienced founder and artistic director, having established chamber ensembles and polyphonic choirs both in the Netherlands and Türkiye. Currently the conductor of PEDLEV, double wind quintet in Den Haag.
In addition to conducting, she shares her passion for music through teaching piano, conducting, and singing lessons to students of all ages and levels. She plays guitar next to the piano and recently, has begun learning the violin, further expanding her musical expertise.