Özgür Gözler – FIRST PRIZE with Special Mention, Oboe
Born in 2008, the young oboist began his musical education in 2019 at Mersin University State Conservatory Middle School of Music and Performing Arts. After studying music theory with Assoc. Prof. Tezcan Erol, he started full-time oboe studies with Assoc. Prof. David Tchumburidze, and later graduated from Mersin University Conservatory High School in 2025.
He worked on chamber music with Assoc. Prof. Tuba Özkan from 2023 onwards. He has received numerous national and international awards, including the 3rd prize at the International Global Art Competition (2022), the 1st prize at the Nouvelles Étoiles International Music Competition (2024) with the opportunity to perform as a soloist with orchestra in Paris, and top prizes at the AKOB National Chamber Music Competition. In 2024, he was also accepted into the MusikFestival Zeel am See Orchestra (Austria) as a full member.
In 2025, he won İş Sanat’s Shining Stars Competition, gave a recital in Istanbul, and was awarded the “Meriç Soylu Special Prize.” The same year, he received the Enka Sanat Lale Tara Art Scholarship unanimously. He has also appeared as soloist at the Izmir State Symphony Orchestra Young Soloists Concert and performed with Mersin State Opera and Ballet Orchestra.
Since 2025, he has been continuing his studies at the Haute école de musique de Genève in the class of Prof. Alexei Ogrintchouk.