Melisa Yıldırım, a native of Istanbul grew up in Alevi culture. She embarked on her musical journey in her formative years. During her early high school years, she was drawn to the enchanting sounds of kamancha, and with relentless practice and unwavering determination, she honed her skills on the instrument. In 2014, following the completion of her high school education, Melisa commenced her undergraduate studies at the state Conservatory of Turkish Music, which is housed within the prestigious Istanbul Technical University (ITU). Her unwavering dedication and commitment to her craft led to her graduation from ITU with first-class honors.
Melisa’s musical prowess was evident from the onset, as demonstrated by the release of her debut percussive composition, ‘Dreamer,’ in 2017. The following year, she emerged victorious in the ‘Teke Region of Folk Instruments Competition’ in Turkey, clinching the top prize in the ‘kemane’ category. In October 2019, Melisa participated in the ‘Making Tracks’ project, a musical residency and tour of the UK, where she dazzled audiences with her exceptional performance skills.
In 2021, Melisa joined forces with Gilad Weiss to release a captivating instrumental duo album titled ‘Taluş,’ featuring Anatolian kamancha and fretless guitar. Her musical acumen was on full display when she opened the concert of Womex Award-winning artist Aynur Doğan at the EFG London Jazz Festival at the Barbican Centre in the same year, delivering an awe-inspiring solo kamancha performance. Melisa was also a participant at the Wow Women of the World Festival in 2021, where she showcased her outstanding solo performance.
In 2022, Melisa was part of the musical residency program OneBeat 9, fully supported by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, held at the Atlantic Center for Arts in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. She collaborates with numerous professional artists worldwide and composes music that aligns with traditional Anatolian music forms. Her music styles and influences span across a broad spectrum, ranging from Sufi music to Anatolian folk, Iranian genres, and contemporary world music.
Discography:
Taluş, with Gilad Weiss (2021)
Hues of imagination, with Swarupa Ananth-Sawkar (2023)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.