Berfin Aksu

Berfin Aksu, violin (Ankara, Turkey), was born in 1998. She started her education at Bilkent University Music Preparatory Elementary School studying with Muhammedjan Turdiev until 2012. In 2006, at the age of eight, Berfin became the youngest violinist in Turkey to perform with an orchestra. In May 2011, Berfin was awarded the prize "Young Musician of the Year (Under 17)" in Donizetti-Andante Classical Music Prizes event. In May 2009 at the age of 16, she won the second prize at the International Andrea Postacchini Violin Competition” in Italy. That same year, Aksu was awarded the first prize at the “14th Remember Enescu International Violin Competition” along with “The Best Enescu Interpretation Award”. In May 2010, Berfin Aksu won first prize at the “52th International Kocianova Violin Competition" in the Czech Republic. Berfin has worked with conductors Ibrahim Yazici, Tor-Son Tan, Gurer Aykal, Sebastian Tewinkel, Aytug Ulgen, Hakan Kalkan, Hansjorg Albrecht, and Howard Griffiths. Berfin started studying in the Yehudi Menuhin School in September 2012 with Lutsia Ibragimova. She has recently graduated from the Menuhin School, and is continuing her education at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama with Krzysztof Smietana.