Works from Turkish Composers - Ezgi Karakus (cello) and Po Sim Head (piano) Doors 7PM Music 7:30PM
Dr. Po Sim Head Dr. Po Sim Head, who prefers to be called Fanny, is a pianist and musicologist devoted to highlighting underrepresented composers, with a special focus on Latin American repertoire. Her recordings include works by Peruvian composer Francisco Pulgar-Vidal and Ecuadorian composer Blanca Layana Gómez. As an active soloist and collaborative artist, she has performed internationally across the United States, Latin America, and Asia, with recent highlights including a guest appearance at the Musicantes Festival in Lima, Peru, where she premiered Sadiel Cuentas’ Concierto para piano y cuerdas with the National Symphony Orchestra of Peru. Born and raised in Hong Kong, she holds degrees from Hong Kong Baptist University, the University of Missouri–Kansas City, and a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Kansas. She is currently an adjunct instructor at Metropolitan Community College–Kansas City. In addition to her performing career, she presents at national conferences including the College Music Society and the Music Teachers National Association, and writes for Interlude.(www.interlude.hk). Website: www.posimhead.com
Dr. Ezgi Karakus Turkish cellist and composer Dr. Ezgi Karakus is redefining the boundaries of classical music with a voice—both through her cello and vocals—that is as captivating as it is genre-defying. Known for her magnetic stage presence and fearless artistry, she has mesmerized audiences around the world, from prestigious symphony halls to sold-out shows at Carnegie Hall. Ezgi began her musical journey at age eleven in Turkey, where she quickly rose to prominence, winning her conservatory’s concerto competition three times. After relocating to the U.S., she won first prize in the Belle and Lynum Jackson Balshaw Music Competition and earned her Doctor of Musical Arts in Cello Performance from the renowned UMKC Conservatory. Her global career includes performances with major ensembles like the Kansas City Symphony, Tulsa Symphony, and Topeka Symphony, and solo appearances with the Springfield Symphony. She was also invited to perform in Yo-Yo Ma’s master class at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. A multi-dimensional artist, Ezgi is also a singer—performing both traditional Turkish music and her own original compositions, blending cultural depth with personal storytelling. As a composer, she draws from a rich tapestry of influences, including Turkish, Spanish, Middle Eastern, and contemporary styles, seamlessly weaving them into a fresh and emotionally resonant sound.
Her collaborative spirit has led to performances with Grammy-winning artists like Mike Block, Mireya Ramos, Scott Tixier, and Felipe Fournier. In 2023, she made her Carnegie Hall debut with Ensemble Iberica in a sold-out performance as part of the Amazonas concert series. Ezgi’s genre-blending creativity also shines in her meditation album Warmest Wave, which received Grammy consideration in the New Age category—further proof of her versatility and visionary approach to music-making. Currently, she serves as principal cellist of the Turkish American Orchestra, is a core member of Ensemble Iberica, and performs regularly with the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas. Whether performing classical works, singing ancient Turkish melodies, or creating genre-fusing originals, Ezgi Karakus is an unstoppable force of musical expression. Website: https://www.ezgikarakus.com/