Secondary Piano
About Me
Sevgi Giles has appeared in venues throughout America and Europe as a recitalist, chamber musician, and orchestral pianist. 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. Sevgi received a Bachelor's degree from the Ankara Conservatory in her native Turkey. As a student 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 received the Master of Music from Roosevelt University in Chicago. In 2005 Sevgi made her Chicago debut on the Dame Myra Hess Series, broadcast live on WFMT. She also has appeared on the Pianoforte Piano Series in Chicago, at the American Liszt Society Conference in Atlanta, 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 also 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), the Adamant Music Festival (Vermont) where she studied with pianist Menahem Pressler. She was also accepted into the prestigious Pressler studio at Indiana University’s School of Music, and Amalfi Coast Music Festival in Italy.
Sevgi is a devoted teacher and sought-after pedagogue in the Chicago area. In addition to her private studio she is on the artist faculty of Roosevelt University and has also taught at the Metropolis Performing Arts School and the Music Institute of Chicago.