Meet Dr. Celil Refik Kaya | Guitarist, composer and educator
We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Celil Refik Kaya and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Dr. Celil Refik, how do you think about risk?
Life is all about taking risks. Those who embrace risk move forward and increase their chances of success. In my personal experience, every significant decision I’ve made involved taking risks.
When I came to New York to study classical guitar for my master’s degree, neither my parents nor I had the money to pay for my second year. Despite this, I took the risk. For my first year, my father contributed significantly from his savings and took a loan from a foundation. The foundation required me to repay the loan after graduation, which posed a considerable risk, especially for my father, who signed the contract. Although I am deeply grateful for the foundation’s support, we cannot ignore the financial burden it placed on a middle-class family like ours.
During my studies at the Mannes School of Music with my former teacher, Michael Newman, I participated in numerous guitar competitions. Each competition was a gamble—there was no guarantee of winning. Losing meant wasting money and time, which is particularly risky for a student. However, one fateful performance at a concert in one of our school’s donor’s private homes changed everything. A generous donor introduced me to Rahmi Koç, one of the most prominent businessmen in Türkiye. He generously contributed to my scholarship for the second year. Meanwhile, I won several competitions and saved my earnings to pay my rent and living expenses.
These risks and their rewards led me to complete my doctorate, publish dozens of compositions, record albums, and play concerts. If I had never taken these risks, my story would be entirely different.
Taking risks opened doors I never imagined and paved the way for my achievements.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a classical guitarist and composer, but it is my compositions and recordings that truly represent who I am. What makes an artist unique are their experiences, character, knowledge, and soul. We all perceive and interpret the world differently, and for me, my most significant contribution in composition has been incorporating Turkish music into classical guitar. Although my style is multicultural, growing up in Türkiye has given me a distinct perspective on various musical styles. I value arranging and composing with unique musical elements, as it enriches the classical guitar repertoire.
Reaching where I am today was not easy, and it required dedication, hard work, and the unwavering support of my family. I grew up in a musical family. My father, Mehmet Refik Kaya, played many instruments, including the classical guitar, but he was a professional rebab player. He innovated the rebab’s construction and playing style and worked with the Historical Turkish Music Ensemble until his retirement. He is also a sculptor and painter. He studied sculpture at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, where he met my mother, Emine Kaya, who is a sculptor, jewelry designer, and intensive care nurse. My uncle, Ahmet Kaya, is a luthier and ney player who also worked with the Historical Turkish Music Ensemble. My grandfather, Teoman Kaya, was a well-known luthier, oud player, and violinist. My childhood was filled with the artistry of musicians, painters, and sculptors, which profoundly shaped my musicianship.
Recently, I published a set of classical guitar works called “Sketches,” based on my father’s surreal and fantastic sketches. This is the first piece where I incorporated Turkish music in a more avant-garde way. I had wanted to pursue this project for many years but waited for the right time. I have also arranged and published many Turkish folk songs with Les Productions d’OZ, aiming to represent different regions of Türkiye to a wider audience. In addition to these arrangements, I have composed numerous original pieces for guitar and ensembles, which have been recorded by colleagues and other guitarists. My style tends to be more multicultural rather than strictly Turkish.
As a recording artist, I have recorded six albums with Naxos Records. My latest recording includes my own compositions, including “Sketches,” which will be released soon. Previously, I recorded “Sinbad: A Fairy Tale for Guitar” by the great Carlo Domeniconi. Although Domeniconi is a multicultural composer, much of his work is oriental and requires an understanding of diverse musical styles. My background in Turkish music and playing the oud has deeply helped my interpretation of these works.
As a performer, I believe each musician brings a unique understanding of music, repertoire choices, and overall character to their performances. I like to include standard classical guitar works from various periods, some flashy pieces, and my own compositions. I aim for a balanced program that I believe makes the performance more enjoyable for a general audience.
One of the most important lessons I have learned in my career is to never give up and to remain consistent. Building a successful career requires a balance of good social relationships, artistic consistency, and dedication.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Living in New Jersey, Liberty State Park is one of my favorite places to visit. Growing up in Istanbul next to the seaside, being near the water brings me a sense of happiness and nostalgia, and I am sure many people enjoy it for the same reason. One of my favorite dining spots is Zoka Aegean Kitchen, where anyone can experience authentic Turkish cuisine and delightful meze. It’s a must-visit for a true taste of Türkiye.
I also love bringing my friends to New York City, where the options for great restaurants, bars, and museums are endless. The vibrant cultural scene in NYC offers something for everyone, making every visit an adventure.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
In my life, I have had many mentors and friends who supported my career, but I would dedicate my heartfelt gratitude to my father, Mehmet Refik Kaya. He was my first teacher, the one who introduced me to the classical guitar and mentored me from the very beginning. My father has been a constant source of support throughout my journey. I am incredibly fortunate to have a father who is not only a professional musician but also someone who dedicated his love and time to nurturing my career. His guidance and strong belief in me have been key in my success.
Website: https://www.celilrefikkaya.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/celilrefikkayaguitar/?hl=en
Twitter: https://x.com/celilrefikkaya?lang=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CelilRefikKaya/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/celilrefikkaya
Image Credits
Orhan Cem Çetin
Emre Ünlenen
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