As the last part of our alumni interviews you can read the story of Basak Dilara Özdemir-Lakatos, who is a former student of Liszt Academy and a brilliant pianist and composer. She also works at the Hungarian State Opera, where she accompanies the ballet dancers on the piano. In this interview formerly made by the Tempus Public Foundation’s International Alumni Team she talked about the beginnings, the challenges and why she loves Hungary so much.
When did music become a big part of your life?
I started artistic gymnastics when I was around 4 years old and then ballet to smoothen out my moves. Music career was not my first choice as I thought that I was gonna be a gold medallist gymnast. However, I always knew that I will not be able to do sports forever. Playing the piano is a different case. I can play the piano until my hands allow me. Therefore, I decided to be a pianist as my mother figured out that I have absolute ear-hearing ability and I took my decision seriously from the very beginning. My mother played the violin, thus I was familiar with the classical music. Nonetheless, it was entirely my decision. At the age of seven, I got admitted to the Istanbul State Conservatory, where everything had begun. From this point on, I was only dealing with music, I was very committed. I learned the solid basics in Istanbul, where I had an excellent teacher, who put great emphasis on my technique and my personality.
To read the full interview click HERE.
