Murat Gürol
Born in 1956 in Ankara, Turkey,he attended the English High School and then the American Robert College in Istanbul. Received his higher education on engineering and business administration. Also starting from 9 years old, he received his musical education at the Istanbul Municipal Conservatory (now the Istanbul University State Conservatory) and graduated from the violin class in 1980. Same year he was admitted to the Istanbul State Symphony Orchestra’s 1.violin group where he worked for 30 years. He undertook various administrative jobs at the orchestra management including as Orchestra Director besides his musicianship from 1985 on and was also the Program Director of the Istanbul Municipality’s Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall between 1992-2001, where he was to plan and carry out the annual programs, inviting world class artists from all genres of music. Being the artistic advisor to several institutions and companies including the Antalya Cultural Center and Destek Reassurance Company , he organized numerous concerts for them. In 1997 he was invited as a jury member to the concours of the Brussels Royal Conservatory and same year he received a plaquette from the President of Turkey in the name of the Istanbul State Symphony Orchestra for its contributions to the Istanbul International Music Festival in account of their 25th anniversary. Founded in 2001, he reactivated his artist management and music production agency ORION in 2005 with the aim of promoting Turkish artists at home and more importantly in abroad effectively. Also for two years acted as the general artistic director of the Istanbul Metropolitan Art and Culture Platform. Besides his current post as violinist at the Istanbul State Modern Folk Music Ensemble, he is currently involved in his new company Nika Production.