Our Instructors

Begüm Merih

Strategic Innovation and Scaling Manager

An experienced figure in the international technology and entrepreneurship ecosystem, Begüm Merih serves as Strategic Innovation and Scaling Manager at Belgian-based Aura Bilişim. Holding the internationally recognized RTTP technology professional credential—held by only a limited number of experts worldwide—she also serves as Türkiye Director of the Silicon Valley–based 5by5startups program. With over a decade of Technology Transfer Office and Entrepreneurship Coordination experience, she plays key roles in bringing innovative ideas to global markets.

Berfu Beysanoğlu

Instructor

Coming from the industry’s front lines, Berfu Beysanoğlu (ORFE) is a versatile artist who combines 16 years of DJ experience with professional music production and sound design. Beyond performances at prestigious projects and festivals, she has proven her success on international platforms—including the U.S. Embassy and XR Art Residency—through short-film scores and digital exhibition design. An active member of the Sisters Music Chain collective, which supports the visibility of women musicians, Beysanoğlu brings both stage and behind-the-scenes experience with a professional vision.

Ceylan Karaca

Artist Manager / Music Data Strategist

With more than twenty years of deep experience in arts management, Ceylan Karaca has managed artist representation, album production, and concert organization for some of Türkiye’s most iconic artists—including Teoman, Candan Erçetin, and Fazıl Say. From major productions such as Nazım Oratoryosu to international tour coordination, her track record places her among the sector’s most accomplished professionals. She currently represents world-renowned classical artists in Türkiye and combines traditional management experience with modern data strategy.

Defne Kayacık

Communication and New Media Specialist

Guides artists through Communication 101 and new media communication trainings.

Doç. Dr. Gökçe Dervişoğlu Okandan

Cultural Economist / Creative Entrepreneurship Strategist

An internationally recognized strategist in the creative economy and cultural policy, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gökçe Dervişoğlu Okandan has served as a key expert on numerous critical projects supported by UNESCO, the European Union, and TÜBİTAK. Redefining the relationship between art and management through digitization, innovation, and sustainability, Okandan plays an active role in shaping Türkiye’s creative industries policy framework.

Dr. Fırat Sayıcı

Film Writer / New Media & PR Specialist

With a career approaching a quarter century in cinema and media, Dr. Fırat Sayıcı is a versatile figure recognized for both academic and industry achievements. His expertise spans producing cult programs such as Cinemania, membership in SİYAD, film festival consultancy, and digital publishing. Through Mad Informatics, the agency he founded, he continues to deliver professional PR and social media management—bridging industry practice and theory.

Dr. Seda Aktaş

Film & Communication Academic / Crowdfunding Specialist

Focusing on the digital transformation of cinema and communication, Dr. Seda Aktaş is known especially for her expertise in crowdfunding and alternative film production models. Alongside her academic work, she has hands-on experience running funding campaigns for culture and arts projects that help independent work come to life. Through current writing on cinema and media, Aktaş is among the pioneers of the digital ecosystem—from collective production models to AI-supported processes.

Fahranaz Bozkurt

Music Industry / Artist & Project Management Specialist

Trainings on artist and project management in the music industry.

İdil Berk

Director / Cinematographer / Software Entrepreneur

Carrying a mathematics-based analytical background from large-scale engineering projects into the art of cinema, İdil Berk is an inspiring example of interdisciplinary transformation. Having built data-flow management and information systems infrastructure on global projects such as the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan Pipeline and STAR Refinery, she later advanced her technology expertise to R&D level through her own software company focused on Augmented Reality (AR). Today she combines that technical acuity with visual storytelling, earning recognition at international film festivals with award-winning short films.

A bridge from mathematical precision to cinematographic aesthetics

Gizem Gezenoğlu

Revenue Growth Strategist / Festival Director

With more than 15 years of experience in the culture and arts sector, Gizem Gezenoğlu has shaped the ecosystem as co-founder of Bozcaada Jazz Festival and founding president of Türkiye Jazz Network. Through Fermente, the consultancy she founded in 2017, she provides strategic support on fundraising and revenue growth management for creative industries projects. Her expertise in festival management and sustainable financial models helps artistic projects gain economic independence.

Gamze Demirkesen

Instructor

Gamze Demirkesen, part of the ARTENPRENEUR instructor team, contributes to artists’ development.

Gülhan Kadim

Theatre Founder / Director / Cultural Manager

A founding member of Kumbaracı50 and Altıdan Sonra Tiyatro—pillars of Türkiye’s independent theatre scene—Gülhan Kadim has successfully taken on acting, directing, and general coordination roles across a career of more than 25 years. A strong figure behind the scenes as well as on stage, she pioneered the founding of TOMİ Training Center and has been active in the sector’s structural transformation as Vice Chair of the Board of Tiyatro Kooperatifi. Internationally, she contributes to the global representation of Turkish theatre through curatorships at prestigious platforms such as Heidelberg Stückemarkt and Theater an der Ruhr.

İlkay Bilgiç

Cultural Manager / Creative Producer

A strategist who turns ideas into concrete projects in the culture and arts ecosystem, İlkay Bilgiç works as an independent entrepreneur and creative producer under mezopArt. With expertise in building sustainable partnership models between artists and institutions, she ensures projects are not only produced but also made visible and that communities form around them. Her roles as manager and advisor on numerous nationally and internationally funded projects make her one of the most capable professionals in networking and project development for the creative industries.

Prof. Dr. Tekin Memiş

Intellectual Property & Commercial Law Expert / Academic

One of Türkiye’s most respected voices in commercial and intellectual property law, Prof. Dr. Tekin Memiş is a legal authority who combines academic depth with high-level legislative and judicial work. As founding leader of the Intellectual Property Platform, he has chaired DPT Intellectual Property Development Plan and Electronic Commerce Law commissions—playing key roles in shaping the country’s digital and creative economy legislation. An ICC arbitrator with international standing, he turns legal expertise into strategic partnership.

Saliha Yavuz

Visual Arts Instructor

An instructor who guides artists in the visual arts.

Sanat Deliorman

Jazz Vocalist / Radio Host / Voice Actor

A versatile artist, Sanat Deliorman has specialized across many creative industries disciplines as a jazz vocalist, radio host, voice actor, and graphic designer. With more than 300 concerts on prestigious stages in Türkiye and Eastern Europe, Deliorman is also a broadcaster who opens space for independent musicians through the program “Dünyanın Cazı.” As an active member and mentor of Sisters Music Chain, she brings both stage experience and projects aimed at improving the music ecosystem into her teaching.

Tolga Akyıldız

Journalist, Publishing Director and Music Writer

One of the doyens of Turkish music journalism and publishing, Tolga Akyıldız has shaped a generation’s musical taste and cultural literacy since 1987 in established outlets including Hey, Blue Jean, Hürriyet, and Milliyet. More than a writer, he is a visionary project leader who has pioneered talent discovery through initiatives such as “Açık Sahne.” Deep marks across every layer of the music industry—from editing to publishing direction, brand consultancy to event creativity—make him one of the sector’s strongest reference points and its living “memory.”