Sevgi Giles

Sevgi Giles has appeared throughout America and Europe as a recitalist, chamber musician, and orchestral pianist. In a repertoire that ranges from Bach to Boulez, her playing has been acclaimed for its emotional projection and intellectual rigor.

In 2001 Sevgi was awarded the prize for best performance of a French Suite at the International Bach Competition in Saarbrucken, Germany. Having played most of the major works of Bach, she feels a special affinity for the Baroque master. A native of Turkey, she received a Bachelors degree from the Ankara Conservatory where she captured all of the top performance awards and concertized extensively throughout the country. She has done graduate work at the University of North Texas and Roosevelt University.

In December Sevgi made her Chicago debut on the Dame Myra Hess Series, broadcast live on WFMT. She has upcoming performances on the Fazioli Piano Series in Chicago, and at the Ukrainian Institute of America in New York City. As a member of the renowned North Texas Wind Symphony, Sevgi recorded four compact discs with that ensemble and appeared as soloist with them in several premieres by contemporary composers. During the summers she has performed at festivals such as Crested Butte (Colorado), the Eastern Music Festival (North Carolina), and the Adamant Music Festival (Vermont) where she studied with Menahem Pressler.

Sevgi is a devoted teacher and sought-after pedagogue in the Chicago area. In addition to her private studio she is on the faculties of the Metropolis Music School, Music Arts School and the Northwestern University Music Academy.