Nihan Atalay

Nihan Atalay was born in Istanbul. She started her flute education with Prof. Mükerrem Berk at Mimar Sinan University State Conservatory. After graduating from the conservatory in 1998, she pursued her study at Lyon State Conservatory with a French Government scholarship, where she graduated in 2002. In the same year, she received a grant from the Swiss Government and entered the Lausanne College Music Conservatory, where she studied with flutist José Castellon. During studying in Europe, Atalay performed in various concerts in Italy, France, Switzerland, Greece, and Germany. She also attended many youth orchestras. After completing her study at Lausanne College Music Conservatory in 2005, she continued her post graduate study in Baroque Music at the Geneva College Conservatory, where she studied with famous Baroque flutists Marc Hantai and Serge Saitta until her graduation in 2010. From 2003-2008, Atalay received scholarships from the Association for Supporting Contemporary Life, Suisse Nicati De Luze Contemporary Music Foundation, Sandoz Foundation, and the Association of Geneva University. In addition to them, she was gifted a classical flute from Geneva Conservatory.

Atalay, who studied contemporary classical music as well as Baroque music, had an opportunity to perform 20th century contemporary works with Lucerne Festival Academy Orchestra on the invitation of famous conductor Pierre Boulez in 2005. Atalay performed with renowned flutists such as Michel Moragues, Sophie Cherrier, Patrick Gallois, Barthold Kuijken, and Phillippe Bernold.

In 2012, Atalay won the first prize in the Baroque Flute Competition, which was organized by the American Flute Association in Las Vegas. She currently works at the Geneva Conservatory. She is a member of the Geneva Chamber Music Orchestra.

Reference: aassm.org.tr, andante.com.tr, andante.com.tr