Melisa Uzunarslan

IL Cannone Direct & Focused

“Il Cannone Direct & Focused, which I am currently using, gives a striking self-confidence.”

Melisa Uzunarslan

Larsen Strings for Violin

About Melisa

Born in Istanbul in 1985, Melisa Uzunarslan started her music education at the age of 9 with Prof. She started in Gönül Gökdoğan’s violin class. She studied double major in Violin and Composition simultaneously at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University Istanbul State Conservatory and received her undergraduate education with an “excellent” degree from Prof. Çiğdem İyicil (Violin). She graduated from Hasan Uçarsu (Composition) classes in 2007.

Uzunarslan, who completed her master’s degree in Violin department at the same conservatory in 2010, is currently continuing her Proficiency in Art education at Maltepe University Conservatory and is a member of the academic staff as a lecturer at the same school.

In addition to being a violinist, songwriter, composer, and academician with her multi-instrumentalist identity, she also worked as the Principal Violinist of the “BBC PROMS” “Royal Albert Hall” “Pergine Spettacolo Aperto” Italian Youth Festival Orchestra-Principal Violin in many important halls and venues in many places such as Australia, America, Europe and Israel. She actively continues to work intensively in concerts with important orchestras in festivals, as an orchestra, chamber music, soloist, singer and composer.

Uzunarslan, has won first prizes in many national and international competitions:

Vivaldi International Music Competition “Mastery Award” and “1st Prize”
George Bizet International Music Competition “1st Prize” and “Outstanding Creativity Award”
Beethovenici International Music Competition “1st Prize” and “Original Composition” award
Halıcı Computer Music Competition “3rd Prize”
Rotary Club Young Musician of the Year Award

Since 2016, she has released two independent albums of 10 songs each, all lyrics, compositions and performances of which belong to her, and 16 singles, that have reached large audiences. She has composed and performed music for many TV series, films and commercials as a musician, combining popular culture and academic aspects.

“Il Cannone Direct & Focused give a striking self-confidence. They are both warm and bright. They are strings that can respond to all nuances with the same sensitivity and make you feel and enjoy playing. Among the combinations I’ve used so far, Il Cannone Direct & Focused is a rockstar.”

Melisa Uzunarslan – Collin Mezin, Paris (1890)

Uzunarslan, who is the solo violinist and backing vocalist of Sezen Aksu, Teoman and Nil Karaibrahimgil, is also the solo violinist and backing vocalist of “Melange” Violin Concerto No.1, String Quartet, Piano Quintet, “Elegy” for Cello and Piano, Violin and Piano Sonata No.1 Op. She gave concerts called “Uzunarslan Chamber Works” consisting of 13 chamber music works, and released the work as an album called “Uzunarslan Plays Uzunarslan Violin Sonata No.1 Op.13”.

As an activist on issues such as women’s rights, unionization of musicians and mental health awareness, she has appeared in many interviews, television programs and documentaries in the press.