About us
NEW MANHATTAN SINFONIETTA
New Manhattan Sinfonietta (NMS) is a New York–based orchestra founded by world-renowned Turkish maestro Gürer Aykal, one of Türkiye’s most influential conductors and a leading figure in contemporary symphonic development. Conceived in collaboration with the Turkish American Arts Society of New York (TAASNY), NMS was established to present refined symphonic performances that reflect both Western classical excellence and Türkiye's rich musical heritage.
The orchestra made its world premiere on November 29, 2018, at Carnegie Hall’s Stern Auditorium with the landmark concert “A Call for World Peace.” Since then, NMS has continued to build its artistic identity through programs such as “Anatolian Inspirations”, highlighting masterworks by Turkish composers alongside the classical canon.
Dedicated to Maestro Aykal’s vision, NMS aims to expand the presence of Turkish composers and musicians on international stages, while embracing the belief that “diversity is the ultimate wealth in the arts.” The orchestra serves as a cultural home for distinguished artists from Türkiye and around the world, presenting performances that unite audiences through musical excellence and artistic integrity.
Gurer Aykal,
Founder and Principal Conductor
At our conservatory, we provide comprehensive music education that caters to every level. Our curriculum is designed to be engaging and effective, ensuring that students gain the skills they need to succeed in their musical endeavors.
Start with the student – find out what they want and help them achieve it.
Ibrahim Yazici,
President, TAASNY
Co-Founder, New Manhattan Sinfonietta
As President of the Turkish American Arts Society of New York (TAASNY) and co-founder of the New Manhattan Sinfonietta alongside Maestro Gürer Aykal, Ibrahim Yazici is dedicated to building a cultural bridge between Türkiye and the United States. Under his leadership, TAASNY and NMS present concerts and projects that bring together world-class artists, Turkish and international repertoire, and diverse audiences across New York and beyond.
His work focuses on creating platforms where emerging and established musicians can meet, collaborate, and share their artistry with the wider community. By combining artistic vision with careful organizational planning, he helps ensure that each project is not only musically compelling but also meaningful for the broader cultural life of the Turkish-American diaspora and the international arts scene.
We are a team of dedicated
musicians with years of experience
Meet our Soloist
Bengisu Gokce
Concert master
Bengisu Gokce is a versatile violinist, vocalist, and educator who blends Turkish musical traditions with jazz, folk, and contemporary improvisation. She is the new concertmaster of the New Manhattan Sinfonietta, bringing expressive musicianship and stylistic fluency to the ensemble’s sound.
She has performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and major international festivals, collaborating with artists such as Mark O’Connor and Tigran Hamasyan. Known for her dynamic stage presence and cross-genre flexibility, she navigates classical, folk, and improvisational worlds with ease.
As a faculty member at Berklee College of Music, she teaches microtonal theory, global performance practices, and ensemble collaboration. Her teaching emphasizes cultural awareness, creative exploration, and developing a personal artistic voice grounded in both tradition and innovation.
Can Cakmur
Turkish pianist
Can Çakmur is an internationally acclaimed Turkish pianist and one of the most distinctive artists of his generation. He is the First Prize winner of the 2018 Hamamatsu International Piano Competition and the First Prize winner of the 2017 Scottish International Piano Competition, achievements that brought him global recognition. Çakmur has performed in major concert halls, including Wigmore Hall, Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Tonhalle Düsseldorf, and leading venues across Japan, such as Act City Hamamatsu.
He has appeared at festivals including the Verbier Festival Academy, Mentor & Prodigies Festival, and the Istanbul Music Festival, where he was named Young Musician of the Year in 2018. As a recording artist for BIS Records, he is engaged in the long-term project of recording the complete Schubert piano works, which have received exceptional international praise for their clarity, poetic interpretation, and structural insight.
Meet the People of the Sinfonietta
Gurer Aykal, Conductor
Musicians of the Sinfonietta with
Bengisu Gokce, Concertmaster
Yiğit Karataş, Principal Second Violin
Yangzi Wang, Principal Viola
Emirhan Tunca, Principal Cello
Can Cakmur, piano
Sinfonietta Staff
Gurer Aykal, Founder, Artistic Director, (Music Director – TAASNY)
Ibrahim Yazici, Founder, Executive Director, (President – TAASNY)
Aysen Darcan, Ph.D., Founder, Executive Director, (Vice President – TAASNY