Ozan Çoban: A successful pianist, driven by the desire to spread the love of art and music, and dedicated to teaching as much as learning!

 *This interview, conducted by Eylül Aşkın, was first published in Turkish on 05.11.2022 on the online art platform sosyeteart.com. https://sosyeteart.com/index.php/2022/11/05/sanat-ve-muzik-sevgisini-yaymanin-ogrendigince-ogretmenin-derdinde-basarili-bir-piyanist-ozan-coban/

Our guest today is Ozan Çoban, a pianist, composer, music director, and educator with numerous titles. He is also the founder of "Klasik Müzikli Söyleşiler"(Classical Music Talks), a culture and art project with a focus on education.

You presented your first recital at the age of 7. How did you discover your interest in music, when did you start receiving education, and how were you able to give a recital at the age of 7?

I encountered a piano for the first time during a family visit, and it sparked my curiosity. I started exploring the instrument, and my talent was discovered by Dr. Emel Ramadanoğlu and my first piano teacher, the pianist Esra Ramadanoğlu. At the age of five, I began regular lessons with Esra sister, and the first recital naturally happened at the age of seven.

On the one hand, you were a successful student, even earning the first place in Turkey at the Private Darüşşafaka High School. With many schools to choose from, why did you specifically choose Darüşşafaka?

I wasn't actively involved in the constant study model. However, during that period, I achieved high scores in exams such as the State Boarding School Exam, Private Schools Exam, and Anatolian High Schools Exams. Darüşşafaka, with its stance, warm educational environment, and the special spiritual bonds among Darüşşafaka students, is unquestionably one of the best and high-quality schools in our country. We first consulted Darüşşafaka friends and esteemed teachers for their opinions. Then, we visited the school with my family. I wanted to inhale its atmosphere. The presence of a piano in the music room might have had an effect. At that time, I wholeheartedly wanted to be a part of Darüşşafaka, and I made the choice among schools in that direction.

You graduated from the Mimar Sinan University State Conservatory Piano Department with both undergraduate and master's degrees. As a successful student, you had the chance to pursue your master's degree abroad, but you chose to stay in Turkey. Did you ever consider studying, going, or staying in Europe?

In the second year of university, I joined Prof. Thomas Steinhöfel's (Liszt School of Music, Weimar) master class. I performed Bach-Brahms Chaconne, and it must have earned his approval as he invited me to the Liszt School of Music. It was a significant opportunity, but I found myself a bit confused afterward. However, I came to the realization that going to Europe just for the sake of saying I went wouldn't be very meaningful. Both my piano teacher, Prof. Seher Tanrıyar, and my composition teacher, Assoc. Prof. Babür Tongur, were highly capable and knowledgeable individuals. Seher Hanım was a student of Cemal Reşit Rey, while Babür Bey studied under Ahmed Adnan Saygun. Babür Bey's musical lineage traced back to Mozart. I learned a multitude of information and traditions from them that aren't found in books. Another reason for not going was recognizing the significant work that could be done to popularize and foster quality music in our country. I chose to stay and fulfill the responsibilities I felt here.

You've been involved as a music director, composer, and pianist in many plays at Sadri Alışık Cultural Center. Did the idea of implementing the "Classical Music Talks" project emerge within this context? Could you tell us a bit about it?

No, actually, I can't say it was during that period. Our collaboration with Sadri Alışık Cultural Center should be around 2010-2011. Classical Music Talks were first conceived in 2015 and came to life. It was a time when I was researching village institutes more. I was fascinated by this incredible system. I thought it was deliberately closed under the influence of external forces. Playing the violin, playing the piano, playing the bağlama were elective but mandatory courses. Alongside, the priority was given to reading books and theater. Elements contributing to the conscious functioning of thinking mechanisms. I imagined children and generations deprived of these elements. I thought if these elements were prominent in our lives, things would be different. In the end, I started reaching our children with Classical Music Talks. Of course, it's not enough to change a system. But I grabbed a piece of the rope. I wholeheartedly wish Classical Music Talks to be motivating for other music groups, artists, painters, and writers, and for this effort to strengthen.

What is this "Classical Music Talks"? Let's hear it from your perspective.

It's an interactive, narrative, education-focused piano recital. The program covers pieces, composers, periods, and instruments, all supported by projection visuals. All the pieces are performed live. Simultaneously, children receiving instrumental education are given the opportunity to perform within the event, aiming to open paths for our musically inclined children and contribute to the discovery of their talents. One of the project's goals is to eliminate the distance between the audience and the classical music, making us realize how close it is to us and how it translates our emotions. The aim is to create curiosity and be encouraging, unlike the usual.

Moreover, you've achieved a world record with this project. Reaching 34,558 children in 27 provinces, you obtained the title of the "event project reaching the most children" among similar projects. How did you manage to reach so many people? Were there cities you aimed to reach but couldn't?

Yes, that's correct, it became a world record. If we look at the current data, we have reached 36,084 children in 29 provinces. I walked this path with great belief and enthusiasm. And, of course, I wasn't alone. Art enthusiast Hakan Yazıcı, Merih Uzun, Yeşim Mançe were with me at every moment, providing support. Our sponsors, such as Garanti Bank, Facebook, Yazıcı Legal Law Office, Doremusic, Gradiva Jewelry, and collaborators like TEGV, AÇEV, EÇEV, İşitender, ÇYDD, Kazım Karabekir Foundation, Culture Directorates, Municipalities, Ministry of National Education, Elementary, Middle, High School, and University Administrations, Kumbara Education Culture Art Dance Academy, TÖMER, Pan Fine Arts, enriched the program. During this process, we are still seeking sponsors for a new Turkey tour. I wholeheartedly desire to reach the cities we haven't reached yet.

What are your long-term plans for "Klasik Müzikli Söyleşiler"? Do you consider expanding the project internationally, perhaps targeting Turkish children abroad initially and then addressing children worldwide with a broader format?

Yes, I do. I aspire to expand this project to a broader audience, initially targeting Turkish children abroad and eventually addressing children worldwide with a more inclusive format.

You are also an educator. You served as a Lecturer in piano and correpetition at Haliç University Conservatory. Do you currently teach at any institution, or do you offer private lessons?

I have been residing in Bolu for the past two years. I am not affiliated with any institution. I conduct my work privately with selected students. They are all very talented and bright young individuals. They do excellent work and embrace music wholeheartedly. With such motivated students, teaching becomes a truly enjoyable experience.

In which direction are your individual projects progressing? Do you have any plans for an album or a recital in the near future?

While the pace of Music Talks has slowed a bit, it is still moving forward. Apart from that, I have plans for an album. I believe this project will come to life shortly. Additionally, I aspire to bring to life the children's play called "Surprise Guest," which is an adaptation from Music Talks. Since this play involves holograms, I think it will capture the interest of our children. Of course, our main goal remains to bring quality music closer to our children, introduce them to it, and foster their love for it.

What should children do to participate in Classical Music Talks? Where can they follow the event schedule? Is there an age limit?

Our events are generally held on school stages. Participation from the schools we reach is sufficient. Besides, we announce our cultural center events on our social media accounts. They can follow us on Instagram at "muziklisoylesiler." There is no age limit, but each program is tailored to specific age groups. Since the program involves extensive interaction with the audience, and the language used varies according to age groups, we have established this arrangement.

So, our readers who want to reach you individually, where can they follow your work on social media?

My personal page on Instagram is "ozancobanmusic." For Classical Music Talks, they can follow the page "muziklisoylesiler."

Ozan Çoban Breaks Record After Record

https://sosyeteart.com/index.php/2023/11/12/ozan-coban-rekor-ustune-rekor-kirdi/

Ozan Çoban, previously breaking the world record with the "Musical Conversations" project, reaching over 36,000 children in 27 cities, has now set a second world record in Bolu. In a special program for the 100th anniversary of the Republic, he organized a celebration event with a 250-member children's choir, marking another significant achievement.

In the program held at the Necip Fazıl Cultural Center, the Special Gürtan Primary School Children's Choir, consisting of 250 members, performed Republic songs.

Ozan Çoban shared photos and videos of the event on his Instagram account @ozancobanmusic on October 29 with the message: "A child grows up, the world changes. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk is the greatest example of this!"

Ozan Çoban broke his own record!

https://sosyeteart.com/index.php/2023/12/01/muzikli-soylesiler-izmirde-1000-cocukla-bulustu/

The "Musical Conversations" program, hosted by EÇEV and organized by Yeşim Mançe, took place in Izmir on November 27, 2023, at the İzmir Ahmed Adnan Saygun Show Center, with stage support from the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality. Sponsored by Yorglass and Çittur brands, the program featured a 100-member children's choir from Çamlaraltı College, Izmir Private Turkish College, and Private Izmir SEV Primary School, enthusiastically singing Republic anthems, leaving its mark on the 100th anniversary celebrations of our republic. In this program attended by 1000 children, classical music, Turkish composers, and themes related to the republic were shared with the children.