Pianist Asli Giray Akyunak has become the first Turkish member of the International Alliance for Women in Music (IAWM).
The music instructor at Yaşar University in Izmir, Turkey, who is Turkish Cypriot but was born in Ankara, is a founding member and art director of the Gazi Mağusa-based Cyprus Art Society Polyphonic Choir.
She was also art director, coach and accompanist of the Eastern Mediterranean University International Choir from 2011 to 2013.
Mrs Akyunak said she had applied to join the IAWM – a global network of women and men working to boost musical activities and opportunities, promote women’s music and awareness of their musical contribution – and been accepted after her CV and work had been evaluated by officials of the group.
She said: “[They] made me an offer, saying, “We would like you to be our first Turkish member and for you to write an article consisting of your work you have done so far, your view on music, women in the music sector, the situation in Cyprus etc for our next edition… which I did, and which they liked very much and printed without being edited.
“I am very happy.”
