BATIN ÖZKAYOĞLU

Batın Özkayoğlu is a Turkish percussionist born in 1998 in Kestel, Bursa, Türkiye. He began his formal musical education in 2016 after being admitted to the Turkish Music Department of the State Conservatory at Bursa Uludağ University State Conservatory.

During his conservatory studies, Özkayoğlu received extensive training in both traditional Turkish percussion and Western classical percussion. He studied traditional Turkish percussion instruments under Ersen Varlı, while pursuing classical percussion studies with Mert Kocaili of the Bursa Regional State Symphony Orchestra and lecturer İrem Dekeli Akyüz. His education also included studies in Classical Turkish Music repertoire with Güniz Alkaç and Turkish Folk Music repertoire with Özlem Doğuş Varlı. He graduated from the conservatory in 2021.

In the same year, he completed his pedagogical training and began teaching percussion through both individual and group instruction. Alongside his studies in Turkish classical and Sufi music traditions, he developed a strong interest in world percussion and contemporary music styles, broadening his artistic perspective through diverse rhythmic traditions.

Throughout his career, Özkayoğlu has appeared as a guest artist with the Bursa Classical Turkish Music Choir and the Bursa Regional State Symphony Orchestra. He has also performed with the Bursa Turkish Music Ensemble under the artistic direction of Zinnur Kanık, participating in numerous concerts and Mevlevi ceremonies, including performances at the historic Bursa Mevlevihanesi.

In 2024, he successfully passed the national examination organized by the General Directorate of Fine Arts of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Türkiye and joined the Istanbul Meydan Meşkleri Ensemble as a percussion artist.

Today, İbrahim Batın Özkayoğlu continues his career as a performer and educator, combining the rich heritage of Turkish musical traditions with a contemporary and versatile approach to percussion performance.