Elçin Kurbanoğlu
Born in Ankara in 1986, after attending TED Ankara College, she pursued a career by completing a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s degree in political science at METU (Middle East Technical University). In 2015, she bid farewell to her white-collar life and earned first place in the Musicology department of Dokuz Eylül University Faculty of Fine Arts. During her undergraduate studies, she worked as a piano and talent exam preparation teacher and obtained professional competence by completing the Pedagogical Formation program at Dokuz Eylül University Faculty of Education. She also began working in the field of Orff education through training from Assoc. Prof. Dr. Elif Tekin Gürgen and Ezo Sunal. After graduating from the Faculty of Fine Arts with top honors, she continued their career as a music teacher in Ankara. Currently, she provides piano and Orff education in both English and Turkish to numerous individuals, including the expat community in Ankara.
Instagram: @elcinkurbanoglu
Facebook: @elcinkurbanoglu
Eylül Soylu
was born in 1998. After completing her high school education in piano and violin at Aydın Yüksel Yalova Fine Arts High School, she graduated from the Department of Music Education at the Faculty of Education of Bursa Uludağ University. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree at the Faculty of Education of Ankara Music and Fine Arts University.
Some of her professional training includes Orff Educator Training with Ezo Sunal; Jazz Vocal Workshop with Elif Çağlar; Vocalist Certification from European Jazz School; private jazz bass lessons with Dominique Di Piazza; violin training with Beyazıt Akhundov; and a violin masterclass with Esen Kıvrak.
To date, Soylu has taught violin, piano, solfège, voice, and Orff classes at various private schools and course centers. She also continues her artistic work on various stages as a bass guitarist, vocalist, and backing vocalist.
Sena Atasay
Born in Istanbul in 1984, into a family of artisans, Sena Atasay grew up in a creative environment as her father worked in iron and wood design. After graduating from the Faculty of Communication at Başkent University, she worked as a sales specialist in the private sector for 8 years. As a mother of two children, Sena Atasay bid farewell to her white-collar life in 2017 and founded SenArt Atölye, embarking on a design career that nourishes her soul. SenArt Atölye engages in design, production, and sales using various materials, primarily focusing on leather craftsmanship. Over time, SenArt Atölye has evolved into a wholesale business, supplying other designers and stores with professional leatherworking tools and leather sewing machines. Drawing from her experience and expertise, Sena Atasay began conducting enjoyable workshops at Gezegen Sanatevi and sharing her knowledge with anyone interested. Gezegen Sanatevi organizes various activities, including leatherwork, knitting, and natural stone design.
Instagram: @senaatasayart
Çiğdem Durukan
Born in Ankara in 1980, she completed her middle school and high school education at Arı Fen Koleji. From 1998 to 2004, she studied at the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at İzmir Institute of Technology Faculty of Architecture. Between 2005 and 2008, she worked in architecture and interior design firms in İstanbul and Ankara, providing consultancy and coordination for numerous spatial organization, furniture, and textile design projects. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Interior Architecture at Anadolu University Faculty of Fine Arts. In 2021, she obtained the International Society for Astrological Research (ISAR) CAP Diploma in Astrology Competency. Under the registered brand name “Çiğdem Durukan,” she has made product designs for Ankara-themed t-shirts, which was her first entrepreneurial initiative for city promotion. She has participated in urban planning, urban design, and graphic design competitions and have received numerous awards. At Gezegen Sanatevi, she organizes various workshops, including illustration with watercolors, intuitive watercolors, ink drawing and after-work sessions.
Instagram: @cigdemdurukan
İlker Yavuz
Born in Malatya in 1970, he completed his education at Ankara Atatürk Anadolu Lisesi and later graduated from Ankara University Faculty of Political Sciences, Department of Public Administration. After working in the banking sector for a while, he started working as a photographer for special events and organizations, as well as teaching photography. He currently continues to work as a photography instructor and pursues landscape, street, and stage photography alongside his professional assignments. İlker Yavuz provides photography education and conducts light painting workshops at Gezegen Sanatevi.
Instagram: @sipsakchi
Gülşah Güneş
Born in Çorum in 1987, Güneş graduated from the Department of Journalism at Gazi University Faculty of Communication in 2009. After working briefly as a reporter and photojournalist in various media outlets, she turned to cinema. She received training on cinema from institutions such as Ankara Barosu Sinema Topluluğu (Ankara Bar Cinema Society) and Ankara Sinematek Derneği (Ankara Cinema Association). Güneş served as a producer and art director for the feature films “Adalet Oyunu” (Game of Justice) produced by Getto Film Production Company in 2009 and “Beni Sen Anlat” (Tell Me About Yourself) in 2014. These films were showcased in numerous national and international film festivals and received various awards. She conducted film analysis workshops at Ankara Sinematek Derneği. Currently, she continues their photography and cinema work in Ankara.
Instagram: @gulsahh.guness
