The final event in the series titled “Career Days: Instrumental Education Department Students Meet Local Artists,” organized by the Instrumental Education Department of the Turkish Music State Conservatory at Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University and aimed at supporting students’ artistic and professional development, was held on March 25, 2026.

As part of the event, the program was moderated by Lecturer Dr. Ufuk Sopaoğlu, and local artist Birol Gürkan met with the department’s students.

Held in a talk format, the artist offered comprehensive evaluations on performance practice, forms of musical expression, repertoire development processes, and his professional experiences in artistic life. In this context, the place and sustainability of traditional performance practices within contemporary music practices were also discussed.

During the event, which saw active participation from students, they had the opportunity to ask questions about stage practice, professional development, and career planning, based on the artist’s shared knowledge and experience. In this respect, the program provided a qualified academic interaction environment supporting both theoretical and practical training processes.

At the end of the program, certificates of appreciation were presented by the Director of the Turkish Music State Conservatory, Associate Professor Dr. Arda Göksu, to the event moderator Lecturer Dr. Ufuk Sopaoğlu and the guest artist Birol Gürkan for their contributions. The event concluded with a group photo session.

With this program, the “Career Days: Instrumental Education Department Students Meet Local Artists” event series organized by the Instrumental Education Department of the Turkish Music State Conservatory at Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University was completed. Held throughout March, these events made significant contributions to students’ professional and artistic development by enabling direct interaction with accomplished artists in the field.

We would like to thank Associate Professor Dr. Haluk Bükülmez, Vice Director of the Turkish Music State Conservatory and coordinator of the event series, as well as our moderators and local artists for their valuable contributions.