Since its establishment in 1995, the Department of Music Education has grown through the contributions of distinguished scholars, artists, and educators. Their dedication has shaped the department’s strong academic tradition, artistic production culture, and teacher education philosophy. This section honors all faculty members and artists who have contributed to the historical development and institutional identity of our department.

1. Faculty Members Who Served Between 1995–2000

The following academics formed the founding cadre of the Music Teacher Education Program. They played a decisive role in curriculum development, instrumental training, choir–orchestra studies, and the establishment of the department’s institutional structure:

• Asst. Prof. Adil Vural (Head of Department)
• Prof. Muzaffer Arkan
• Prof. Dr. Uğur Türkmen
• Prof. Dr. Emel Funda Türkmen
• Prof. Dr. Güler Demirova Györffy
• Prof. Dr. Yusuf Akbulut
• Prof. Dr. Salih Ergan
• Prof. Dr. Hamit Önal
• Asst. Prof. Sefai Acay
• Artist Oktay Dalaysel (Former Concertmaster of the Presidential Symphony Orchestra)
• Artist Kahraman Özlü (Former Artist of TRT Ankara Radio)
• Lect. Ayan Nuriyeva
• Lect. Mustafa Levent Taşkesen
• Lect. Levent Ayan
• Lect. Bünyamin Sarıkaya
• Research Assistant Şule Nurdan Caf
• Research Assistant Musa Ayçiçek
• Research Assistant İsmail Soner Erdem
• Instructor Arif Türker Gündoğdu

2. Faculty Members Who Served After 2000

The post-2000 period marks a phase of academic expansion, strengthened graduate studies, and increased artistic activity within the department:

• Prof. Dr. Serkan Ercan Bağçeci
• Prof. Dr. Ebru Varol Temiz
• Prof. Dr. Feyzan Göher
• Prof. Dr. Ferit Bulut
• Prof. Dr. Damla Bulut
• Prof. Dr. İzzet Yücetoker
• Prof. Dr. Aylin Mentiş
• Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hazan Kurtaslan
• Lect. Bülent Koyuncu
• Lect. Alpay Ünsal

3. Distinguished Contributors to the Artistic Identity of the Department

These individuals hold a special place in the department’s institutional memory due to their significant artistic contributions and national–international impact:

• Prof. Dr. Ahter Destan

Recognized for contributions to choral conducting, repertoire development, and international artistic achievements that strengthened the department’s artistic identity.

• Music Writer Ahmet Say

Contributed to the department’s cultural visibility through his evaluations and support for artistic events.

• State Artist İdil Biret

Her 1997 concert in Niğde and her interaction with students remain a memorable milestone in the department’s artistic history.

4. Members of the Department’s First Polyphonic Choir

This choir represents the beginning of the department’s polyphonic music tradition and stands as an important milestone in shaping its artistic identity.

🎶 Soprano

Ebru Varol, Özlem Kılınçer, Güzin Türker, Burçin İçellioğlu, Emine Uyan, Neşe Elginöz, Nuray Harput, Emel Baş, Aslıhan Yiğit, Süheyla Akbaba, Selcen Diler, Halime Demirtaş, Hande Genç, Tuğba Kadifeci

🎶 Alto

Mehtap Aydıner, Gülşah Başaran, Nalan Yüksel, Emel Akıncıoğlu, Didem Kapankaya, Sema Kalkan, Sezen Önügören, Funda Yay

🎶 Tenor

Nihat Vardar, İlker Tez, Bülent Akşahin, Halim Türkmen, Önder Korkmaz, Serdar Köşk

🎶 Bass

Ulvar Tanrıöver, Halil Çöplüoğlu, Gücem Ağmaz, Orkun Erol, İbrahim Özen, Türker Akarsu