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

Hi Kemal, looking back, what do you think was the most difficult decision you’ve had to make?
Leaving everything behind and settle USA. I had a very busy artist life back in Istanbul. I used to be band leader for a very famous Singer and I was principal tuba at Istanbul State Opera & Ballet as well as arranger/conductor for Cinema Symphony Orchestra. I was also a busy music producer. It was so difficult to leave everything behind and settle Boston first but now I can say that It was one of the best decisions for my career. Now I am Assistant professor at Berklee College of Music that I teach music production, conducting and arranging.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am an Orchestral conductor & music producer. After Succeeding as a principal tubist for more than ten years at Istanbul State Opera & Ballet Orchestra, I comprehend my desire for orchestral conducting. I embrace various styles and genres –movie score, world music, pop, rock, jazz, opera, and orchestral– and has taken part in several concerts and recordings as a conductor, arranger, and producer.I served as Assistant Conductor & Arranger of Cinema Symphony Orchestra in Istanbul, Berklee Contemporary Symphony Orchestra in Boston, MA and guest conductor for the NCO (new conductors orchestra in Manhattan). I am also founder of the Mulm Productions –a music production & entertainment company to help talented classical, opera, and jazz and pop musicians by creating unique orchestral projects. I am an Assistant Professor at Berklee College of Music where I teach advanced music production, arranging & conducting.

It was not easy end up where I am now. I had moments that feeling invisible for others no matter what I did for my career. Every time I felt that I kept going. I produced, arranged and composed. Being resilient is crucial for an Artist.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love history and culture. So my choice would be definitely the Ancient Greek-Roman cities at Aegean region. Especially Miletus. Where the first scientific philosophy started with Thales and Anaximander. A week would be great to see all the nearby ancient cities such as; Ephesus, Hierapolis, Kinidos and Aphrodisias. Local Aegean vegetable dishes “meze” are my favorite.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to recognize Dr. Mark Powell, Head of the Orchestral Studies at Aaron Copland School of Music in NYC. As a conductor, mentorship and master-apprentice relation is crucial. So He has an important impact on my conducting career.

Website: https://www.kemaloksal.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kemaloksal/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kemal-oksal-77903b63/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kemaloksal

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oksalkemal

Image Credits
Hakan Demirci, Yagmur Soydemir.

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.