The Arif Mardin Music Fellowship was launched in 2007 by the
American Turkish Society in memory of Arif Mardin (1932-2006), world renowned musical producer/arranger who also served as Vice Chairman of the American Turkish Society for many years. The fellowship aims to further the education of promising musicians form Turkey and give them a chance to study in the United States. It funds one student per year to attend the Five-Week Summer Performance Program at Berklee College of Music in Boston, covering all program expenses and also providing a stipend of $500. Consideration for the fellowship is based on merit and potential to benefit from the program in a current or future music career. In 2014, the eighth Arif Mardin Music Fellowship was awarded to Su Ozer, a vocalist from Istanbul, Turkey.
The Five-Week Summer Performance Program at Berklee, now in its 29th year, hosts roughly 900 participants from across the U.S. and from more than 70 countries. It includes all instruments, all contemporary styles, and all levels of musical ability and offers students a range of study options with world-class instructors and state-of-the art facilities. Program participants play in ensembles, develop improvisational and reading skills, benefit from weekly private lessons, and attend lectures and demonstrations by well-known faculty and visiting artists.
