Yelda Özgen, Born in Ankara, Yelda Özgen studied cello, chamber music and orchestra at Istanbul University State Conservatory. She graduated from Mimar Sinan University, Department of Mathematics, in 1996 and continued her cello studies with Reyent Bölükbaşı at Istanbul Technical University (MIAM), graduating with a master’s degree in 2002. Özgen has given a number of solo and chamber music concerts, and played in Cemal Reşit Rey Symphony Orchestra and Enka Sinfonietta. As a member of the Anatolia Ensemble, she took part in various festivals in Turkey and abroad. Özgen is also featured on two CD’s, “Ege ve Balkan Dansları” and “Itri ve Meragi” with the same ensemble. As a member of the Aşkın Ensemble, Özgen has performed in several venues. In 2009, Özgen completed her Doctorate Degree in Music at MIAM. She is now teaching cello as an associate professor at Istanbul Technical University Turkish Music Conservatory and working as the director of the Istanbul Technical University Dr. Erol Üçer Center for Advance Studies in Music (MIAM).