Dr. Burak Onur Erdem

Dr. Burak Onur Erdem (*1986) studied music theory & conducting in Istanbul Technical University Center for Advanced Studies in Music. He worked on form and theory with Michael Ellison, advanced harmony with Adam Roberts, early music with Paul Whitehead and singing with Lynn Trepel. He has refined his choral conducting skills in masterclasses with Johannes Prinz, Maria Guinand, Volker Hempfling, Anders Eby, Denes Szabo and Michael Gohl. Prior to his musical studies, he has finished a political science & international relations degree in Boğaziçi University with the Rector’s Prize. He has got his PhD from ITU Center for Advanced Studies in Music with his dissertation Efficiency in Rehearsal: A Study on in Choral Conducting Methodology.

He finished his postgraduate studies with Prof. Johannes Prinz in Kunstuniversität Graz, Austria.

Erdem founded Choral Culture Association in Istanbul as a platform for Turkish choral music to innovate and develop. He was elected to the board and the music commission of European Choral Association - Europa Cantat (ECA-EC) in 2015 and he was appointed to the board of International Federation of Choral Music (IFCM) in 2018. He has been awarded ‘The Best Young Conductor’s Prize’ in 38th International Varna Choral Competition and he has served as a jury member in the 66th International Arezzo Choral Competition. Currently he is the chair of the Music Commission of Leading Voices 2022, European Days for Vocal and Choral Leaders in Utrecht.

He founded the chamber choir Rezonans in Istanbul in 2010 and got many international awards with the choir. He has conducted Istanbul European Choir between 2013-2016. He has been working with the Turkish State Choir since 2013 and has been appointed its principal conductor in 2017.