Dj Seyhan  was born in Istanbul and came to Washington, DC for his master degree in 1992. He started his DJ career by accident- stepping in on the spot one night to replace a no-show DJ for a bar restaurant.  He was an instant success- establishing an energy and connection with the crowd and decided to keep DJ’ing to earn extra income.  DJ Seyhan’s first gig was in the alternative rock genre, he was later introduced to dance and house music- the rest is history.

Besides, DJ’ing for the last 21 years, DJ Seyhan has been active in the DC nightlife scene as a promoter and manager of various prominent clubs and lounges. He is a well known host for signature DC events, in high demand for prestigious fashion shows, magazine, media, corporate and non-profit events.

Dr. İlhan Özulu was former orchestra director at Istanbul University State Conservatory. Celebrating 60 years in music & 55 years on stage.

ilhanozulu.com

İpek Özulu Goldberg began playing the violin at the age of six at the Istanbul University State Conservatory. She later performed with the Washington, D.C. Youth Orchestra, American Philharmonic, and San Diego Chamber Orchestra, gaining extensive orchestral and chamber music experience.

Evrim Kaan Özulu was born and raised in Northern Virginia. He began his musical journey playing violin in his elementary school orchestra, later taking up clarinet and eventually becoming a self-taught guitarist. He graduated from San Francisco State University and spent time in Tokyo as an exchange student. He later lived and worked in Tokyo for two years, gaining valuable international and cultural experience.

Live Turkish Music Concert

Özgür Akkuş & Band is a live Turkish music group led by professional singer, musician, composer, and lyricist Özgür Akkuş.

Özgür Akkuş graduated from Marmara University, Faculty of Fine Arts, Department of Music Education, specializing in Opera and Vocal Performance. With his powerful and expressive voice, he brings the energy of Turkish rock and pop together with the rich musical traditions of Turkey.

The concert features well-known songs performed by Özgür Akkuş, including “Kayıp Şehir,” “Radyoda Yine Sezen Çalıyor,” and “Kaba Saba,” along with selected Turkish songs and soundtrack pieces that have introduced his voice to a wider audience.

The band’s live sound is built around lead vocals, electric guitar, bass guitar, drums, and contemporary arrangements, creating an energetic concert experience for both Turkish-speaking audiences and international festival guests.

BAND

Özgür Akkuş — Lead Vocals, Composer & Lyricist

Murat Turhan — Drums

Architect & musician

Fırat Alpergin — Bass Guitar

Software engineer & musician

Ödemir Yıldız — Electric Guitar

Guitarist & musician & dentist

THE CONCERT

Özgür Akkuş & Band delivers a dynamic, energetic, and audience-focused live concert, combining the emotional depth of Turkish music with the power of a modern rock/pop band.

The performance is suitable for Turkish cultural festivals, multicultural festivals, outdoor concerts, community events, and international music festivals.

A powerful voice. A live band. The sound and spirit of Turkey on stage.

Established in August 2025, Türküler Sevdamız USA Chorus is a community-based cultural organization
dedicated to preserving, celebrating, and sharing the rich traditions of Turkish music and culture in the United
States. The chorus brings together singers, musicians, and friends who share a love for Turkish folk music
and a desire to keep these traditions alive while introducing them to new generations and diverse audiences.

Through rehearsals, performances, cultural festivals, and community events, Türküler Sevdamız USA creates
opportunities for its members to come together around a shared passion for music. Our repertoire reflects the
richness and diversity of Turkey’s musical heritage, featuring traditional folk songs and melodies from different
regions of the country. We believe that music is one of the most meaningful ways to connect people across
generations, cultures, and backgrounds.

Beyond performing, our goal is to help preserve Turkish cultural heritage and create a welcoming environment
where members can develop their musical skills, build friendships, and share the traditions they value. By
performing Turkish folk music for both Turkish-American and broader audiences, Türküler Sevdamız USA
Chorus hopes to build cultural bridges, strengthen community connections, and share the warmth, stories,
and spirit of Turkish culture through music.

Rhythm and Dance Children & Youth Folk Dance Ensemble (R&D) was founded in 1996 as the Hacettepe University Children and Youth Folk Dance Ensemble in Ankara, Türkiye. Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2026, the ensemble has built a long-standing tradition of bringing Türkiye’s folk dance and rhythm heritage to audiences at home and abroad.

Gulder USA Junior Ensemble, based in the Washington, D.C. area, celebrates the rich cultural heritage of Kazakhstan and Central Asia through dance. Founded in 2017 and led by choreographer Zarina Alim, the ensemble performs Kazakh folk dances that blend traditional and contemporary elements, along with dances inspired by other Central Asian and Middle Eastern traditions.

The ensemble has performed at international cultural festivals organized by the World Bank, George Washington University, and Silk Road Dance Company. In recent years, Gulder USA has also established a youth group, engaging children and young people in discovering, celebrating, and carrying forward Kazakh and Central Asian cultural traditions.

(Social: @GulderUSA)

The American Association of Crimean Turks Ismail Gasprali School Dance Group brings the rich
cultural heritage of the Crimean Tatar community to life through traditional music and dance. Founded in Brooklyn, New York, in 1961 the Association aims to preserve Crimean Tatar cultural, religious, and national identity in the United States. As part of the Association’s youth cultural and educational activities, the group gives young people an opportunity to learn and celebrate the dances and traditions of their heritage while sharing them with wider audiences.

Through their performances, the young dancers help carry Crimean Tatar culture to a new generation, building pride in their roots and creating a vibrant connection between their heritage and the diverse communities they call home.

Columbia and Greenbelt International Folkdancers are recreational dance groups that bring together people of all ages and levels of dance experience to enjoy international folk dancing. The Columbia group meets on Wednesday evenings, while the Greenbelt group meets on Friday evenings. Together, their members celebrate the joy of dance, music, and cultures from around the world.

For more info email John Robinson at j_srobinson@verizon.net

, established in 2004, is a group of dancers dedicated to promoting the culture of Turkey through dances from the region. Kardelen Dance Ensemble takes its name from a resilient Anatolian mountain flower that survives under hardship and severe weather circumstances. The group members are committed to helping underprivileged children in developing countries who survive under difficult circumstances, just like the Kardelen flower, and therefore donate a portion of revenues to organizations that are engaged in the education and health of children. Kardelen has performed at the Turkish Festival for 24 years. For more information:
IG @KardelenDance
Facebook @KardelenDanceEnsemble
www.kardelendance.com

is a collective inspired by traditions of Central Asia, Middle East, India,and Turkey, traveling across borders and bridging cultures in search of the ultimate dance experience. Since 2008, Nomad Dancers have proudly presented Persian, Afghan, Tajik, Azeri, Uzbek, Uighur, and Turkish traditional folkloric dances, as well as Bollywood and Fusion choreographies, at cultural events, celebrations and festivals in the Washington DC metropolitan area and beyond.

Nomads have performed at the White House, Washington DC’s Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Istiklol Palace Theater in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and the Dora Stratou Theater in Athens, Greece, just to name a few. The collective is dedicated to bringing diverse audiences together, spreading cultural awareness, and promoting World Peace Through Dance!

For more information:
www.nomaddancers.com
IG @nomaddancers
FB @nomaddancers

The DCA Youth Ensemble of Anatolian Dances celebrates Türkiye’s rich cultural heritage through traditional folk dance. Composed of first-generation Turkish-American high school students in the Washington, D.C. area, the ensemble performs dances from across Anatolia, showcasing the distinctive rhythms, movements, costumes, and traditions of its diverse regions.

Born from a shared love of dance and a desire to connect with their roots, the young performers learn traditions passed down through generations and proudly share them with wider audiences. Through their performances, they serve as young cultural ambassadors, building a bridge between their Turkish heritage and American community through the universal language of dance. The ensemble is dedicated to keeping Anatolian traditions alive while inspiring a new generation to celebrate and share their heritage with pride.