Ayça Kartari

Ayça Kartari was born in Bilecik, Turkiye. She began studying the double bass when she was 11 years old. In 2005, she received a full scholarship from the International Yehudi Menuhin Music Academy to study chamber music and completed her graduate studies at
the Lausanne Conservatory in Switzerland.

During her studies, she toured around Europe and performed at Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Bozar in Brussels, Victoria Hall in Geneva, Konzerthaus in Vienna, Konzerthaus in Berlin, Smetana Hall in Prague, Casino in Bern, Slovenian Philharmonic Hall in Ljubljana, Palais de Bratislava, George Enescu Festival in Bucharest, Festival Estoril Lisboa, and Menuhin Festival in Gstaad.

Before moving to Richmond, Virginia, she was working with the Izmir State Opera and Ballet, and Istanbul Borusan Philharmonic. She performed for The Proms at the Royal Albert Hall in London conducted by Sascha Goetzel in 2015.

She recorded with the Space Bomb artist Trey Pollard on his solo album “Antiphone” as part of a string quintet. She frequently performs with a Richmond-based indie Turkish pop band Yeni Nostalji, Williamsburg Symphony, Opera in Williamsburg, Richmond Symphony, and the Atlantic Chamber Ensemble. She recorded “Rags and Hymns of River City” commissioned by composer Mason Bates in 2019 with Atlantic Chamber Ensemble.

In addition to her roles as a double bass performer and teacher, Ayça has directed Classical Incarnations at Classical Revolution RVA and served as the Artistic Director for the Mozart Festival.

Currently, Ayça teaches Classical upright bass at Virginia Commonwealth University.