Ozan Aksoy

Ozan Aksoy is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Berklee College of Music. He holds a PhD in Ethnomusicology from the CUNY Graduate Center and has previously taught at Columbia University, New York University, Hunter College, and CUNY. His academic and artistic work bridges the fields of music, cultural identity, migration, and political expression.

His educational background includes a Doctor of Philosophy in Ethnomusicology from the CUNY Graduate School and University Center (2014), a Master of Arts in Musicology from CUNY Brooklyn College (2009), and a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Boğaziçi University in Türkiye (2002).

A renowned multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, Aksoy specializes in the musical traditions of Kurdish, Armenian, Alevi, and other minority communities in Turkey. His research interests include ethnomusicology, music and migration, identity politics, and the role of music in social movements. He was an early member of the critically acclaimed ensemble Kardeş Türküler, which performed songs of suppressed ethnic and religious groups in Turkey and toured extensively in Europe.

His scholarly publications focus on the intersection of music, politics, and cultural identity, particularly among Alevi immigrants in Germany and in Turkish-Kurdish environmentalist discourse. His 2018 solo album Ozan received critical acclaim for its innovative fusion of traditional Anatolian sounds with contemporary and global influences, including jazz and flamenco.

• Pre-Dissertation Award, Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
• Chancellor’s Fellowship, CUNY Graduate Center

Aksoy’s academic and artistic work reflects a deep commitment to cultural preservation, cross-cultural dialogue, and the transformative power of music. He continues to perform, record, and lead ensembles that explore the rich musical heritage of the Middle East and Mediterranean, while mentoring students at Berklee in liberal arts and music studies.