BIOGRAPHY
 |
Semra Kurutaç was born in Izmir, Turkey, where she spent the
first three years of her life, before moving to the UK. She started learning piano at the age of 8 with Keith Palmer and
later with Mabel Walker at The Manchester School of Music. Semra then went on to study piano with Russell Brandon at the
University of Wales, Cardiff and, after receiving the University's Eleanor Amy Bowen award to part fund her postgraduate
studies, she graduated with a Masters in Performance Studies. Shortly after graduating, Semra joined the six piano ensemble Piano Circus, with whom she toured extensively throughout the UK, Europe, North and South America. During her tenure she collaborated with a multitude of artists including King Crimson drummer Bill Bruford, before leaving for pastures new in 2015. Semra also formed one half of the Arts Council of England funded piano duo, duoDorT, from its inception in 2002 until 2012, releasing two albums as well as commissioning and premiering many new works. Semra has worked as repetiteur for the Welsh National Youth Opera and as orchestral pianist for the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra; on several projects in the UK and Hong Kong with Cardiff based Sound Affairs; with composer Ryan Teague, recording his Piano Studies which featured on BBC Four's 'Art of Germany'; and with the Michael Clark Dance Company with whom she performed a solo piano role in Dance Festivals across the UK, Berlin and Kalamata. Her concerto appearances have included those with the Newcastle University Orchestra, the Aldworth Philharmonic Orchestra, Tewkesbury Camerata, Cardiff Sinfonia, Chamber Academy Orchestra London and Manchester Symphonia. Semra also enjoys a rich teaching life at both Bryanston and Sherborne School where she feels privileged to have such a wonderful cohort of students. Aside from the piano, Semra holds a Skydiving Licence and when she can, has been known to enjoy throwing herself out of perfectly serviceable aircraft. |