Dr. Benal Tanrısever Şimşek is an internationally recognized concert pianist, educator, writer, and consultant on intercultural arts projects. She has built a multifaceted career encompassing stage performances, academic productions, pedagogical innovations, and social responsibility initiatives. Known for her approach that centers on the power of music in both individual and societal transformation, Şimşek has performed with prestigious orchestras in both Europe and the United States, and has established a methodological system guiding music education for young people and children in Turkey.

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She completed her Bachelor's and Master's degrees at the Juilliard School in New York with a Merit Scholarship, after which she was accepted into the prestigious Professional Studies – Concert Artist Program. She continued her education in Germany at the Hochschule der Künste Berlin with a concert soloist program. Upon returning to Turkey, she completed her doctorate at Bilkent University, producing an original thesis examining the impact of music's emotional expression on cinema.

 

His artistic career is notable for his concerts with the Berlin Symphony Orchestra and the New York Symphony Orchestra, recitals in the Faroe Islands and Denmark, and especially the world premiere of Ulvi Cemal Erkin's Piano Concerto at Carnegie Hall. He was featured in a documentary program by RIAS Television in Germany and deemed worthy of inclusion in Germany's "Music Encyclopedia." Throughout his life, he has accumulated over 50,000 hours of musical experience.

In the field of education, Dr. Şimşek is one of the leading figures shaping contemporary children's and youth arts education in Turkey. He played a role in the establishment of the Bilkent Faculty of Music and Performing Arts; and with BT Music and Performing Arts, which he founded in 1997, he has touched the lives of thousands of students in Turkey and around the world. His BTed system, a unique methodology for early childhood instrumental training, is based on the approach of "learning music as a second language." Eleven educational books designed for use from the age of 3.5 are among the important resources of modern music pedagogy in Turkey.

The artist is also a successful author.

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In her book, *My Brother Mozart*, she tells an inspiring story for young readers about Mozart's sister, who never gave up her passion for music.

*Raise Your Child with Music* is a comprehensive guide for families, addressing the multifaceted effects of music on child development on a scientific basis.

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The *Classical Music Tales* series is an award-winning project that introduces children to Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Vivaldi, Tchaikovsky, and other great composers through fun stories and musical content. This series is one of Turkey's most widely accessible creative music education resources, guiding the lives of both children and families and reinforcing their musical knowledge in a natural and enjoyable way.

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A significant portion of her international educational work has been shaped by Şimşek's role as a Juilliard Teaching Ambassador. In this context, she has reached thousands of students and educators in the Middle East, India, and China; and organized workshops, masterclasses, and summer schools in New York, Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen. She has developed performing arts, music education, and intercultural learning models for children and young people.

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Social responsibility projects constitute a strong area in the artist's career. She has conducted art workshops for disadvantaged children with organizations such as ASTEP and WIN (Women in Need – NYC); designed free programs for children with special needs in earthquake-affected areas with the Tohum Autism Foundation and IZEV. She provided two years of professional arts training to 7 refugee youth with UNDP; and launched Turkey's first inclusive music competition, which received 450,000 votes and 1 million views. Through collaboration with the Ministry of National Education, she supported the K-12 education of 400 music teachers working in disadvantaged regions; and reached a total of 4,500 children in Istanbul and Southeastern Anatolia through workshops. She has also implemented community-focused art projects in Turkey with the Sing for Hope Foundation, organizing charity concerts to provide instrument support to conservatory students in the earthquake-affected region.

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Today, Dr. Benal Tanrısever Şimşek continues her work as an arts leader who brings the transformative power of music to wide audiences both in Turkey and around the world through concert performances, contemporary music pedagogy, intercultural art projects, creative children's and youth content, international consulting, and social impact programs. She continues her work in the music world with a holistic approach that combines music and performing arts performance and education, social responsibility, academic work, and creativity.