Meet Cansu Ozyurek | Violinist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cansu Ozyurek and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cansu, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I was eight years old when I first started at Cukurova State University State Conservatory in Adana, Turkey. At the time, it wasn’t my choice; my parents had decided for me.
After graduating from Dokuz Eylul University State Conservatory in Izmir, I began working as a violinist with the Izmir State Theater Orchestra. Playing the same production every night for an entire month. That’s when I decided to take a leap and move to Boston, MA to study at Berklee College of Music. Originally, my plan was to move to New York, NY and get in the musical theater scene but life had other ideas. I found an internship in Los Angeles, CA instead, and moved here right after graduation. The music scene here is vibrant and diverse, offering opportunities to collaborate with incredible artists, film composers, and musicians across a wide range of projects. It’s a refreshing change from the predictability of orchestral routines.

In reflecting on what inspired me to pursue music in the first place, I think it was my cousin, an extraordinary violinist who plays with the Munich Radio Orchestra. Watching her success and dedication was a significant influence during my early years. Now, I’m grateful that I get to carve out my own path, one that’s as dynamic and exciting as the music itself.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Growing up as a classical violinist, performing with orchestras from a young age, touring across Europe and spending summers with my musician peers made me realize that music was what I wanted to dedicate my life to. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of performing with incredible artists worldwide, including Terrence Blanchard, Esperanza Spalding, Tigran Hamasyan, Jacob Collier, Roberto Cani, Tom Hooten, Lech Wielaba, and David Chen.

One of the projects I really enjoyed working on was recording a live album for Kaki King in New York. She’s an extraordinary guitarist and composer, and working on her album led to a series of shows in Brooklyn, as well as a live performance on New York Public Radio (WNYC). Another recent highlight was performing live with Serj Tankian and the CSUN Symphony, premiering his original compositions. As someone who grew up listening to his band, it was a full-circle moment.

Also I really enjoy performing with the Civic Orchestra of Los Angeles, a new vibrant orchestra founded by Don Williams and led by conductor Anthony Parnther, whose credits include recording for Oppenheimer, Transformers, Dune, Guardians of the Galaxy, Avatar, The Mandalorian and many more. The experience of collaborating with such talented instrumentalists and visionary leadership is deeply inspiring.

In the realm of film and media, recording the violin tracks for a nature documentary by Jane Goodall, called Mandrills and a feature documentary Rhino Man has been particularly meaningful. This award-winning film shines a spotlight on the courageous wildlife rangers protecting rhinos in South Africa. It’s projects like these that remind me why I fell in love with music in the first place—its ability to tell powerful stories and make an impact.

Getting to where I am today hasn’t been easy. Moving to the United States to study at Berklee College of Music was a leap of faith, and navigating the challenges of being an international artist has required resilience and determination. The pandemic brought its own set of hurdles. As adults, we often find ourselves absorbed in the demands and worries of the “real” world. In a climate of chaos and fear, I believe that embracing joy is one of the most radical and meaningful forms of resistance.Whether I’m performing on stage, recording for film, or teaching the next generation of musicians, music isn’t just my career—it’s a way of connecting with people, telling stories, and being a part of something bigger than myself.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I actually had two of my best friends visited this summer. Childhood friends, it was really great to see LA again for the first time from their eyes. There’s so much to do here! Little downtowns in each neighborhood and communities everywhere. If they never been here before, I’d definitely take them to either Santa Monica, Venice or Manhattan Beach. It gets even more beautiful as you go further, especially if you want to get in the ocean go to Laguna Beach or Point Dume in Malibu. If you want to see the real LA, go downtown. It feels the most alive part of the city to me. Walk around the Disney Hall and get a quick sneak peek at MOCA then walk down to the LA Public library, last bookstore. If you want to see the locals hang around, go to Los Feliz or Silverlake, walk down the Sunset Blvd. Attwater Village for thrift shopping, and coffee from Black Elephant or Kafn in Glendale. It’s so hard to find parking but maybe a show or gallery tour then drinks at Arts District? I also love Old Pasadena. That’s where I take my violin to the repair shop at Callier-Scollard Violins. It’s a short walk from Norton Simon Museum which not many people know, it’s a small but adorable art museum with a beautiful pond outside.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My parents, of course, and especially my sister, who always keeps me grounded. My cousin, an inspiring violinist, continues to enlighten me in so many ways.

Before the pandemic, I was performing with the Santa Monica Symphony. During one of the concerts, Roberto Cani, the concertmaster of LA Opera, played as a soloist. His performance left a deep impression on me. When the pandemic brought everything to a halt, I decided to pursue my master’s degree at CSUN, where I had the opportunity to study with him. His mentorship, along with that of Lorenz Gamma—another phenomenal violinist and educator—helped me grow a lot as a musician.

My community of film composer and musician friends who played significant roles in expanding my horizons. Among them, Volkan Can Canbolat has been an exceptional mentor and source of guidance. The music school where I work and orchestras I play with has also been a source of inspiration. From the students and their parents to my fellow teachers, musicians and the staff, it’s incredible to be surrounded by such kind, soulful, and creative individuals. I’m deeply grateful for all these connections that enrich my life and artistry.

Instagram: @cansuozyurek