German-Turkish musician Mert Yalnız is recognized as one of the most compelling artistic voices of his generation. Active as a conductor, pianist, and composer, he unites technical brilliance with artistic depth and an interdisciplinary perspective. With this versatility, he is increasingly establishing himself on the international classical music stage.

He began his piano studies at an early age with Prof. Elena Levit before joining the class of Prof. Igor Levit as a young student, with whom he continues his studies at the Hanover University of Music, Drama, and Media. Further mentorship came from Prof. Matti Raekallio, Prof. Eva Kupiec, and Gülsin Onay in piano, Prof. Martin Brauß in conducting, and Marcus Aydintan in composition. He was also admitted at an early stage to the prestigious Institute for the Early Promotion of Musically Gifted Students (IFF), which had a lasting impact on his artistic development.

Yalnız gained international attention as a Salonen Fellow in the Negaunee Conducting Program at the Colburn School in Los Angeles. In this role, he works closely with Esa-Pekka Salonen and collaborates with leading orchestras including the San Francisco Symphony, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the Orchestre de Paris.

His performances have taken him to renowned festivals such as the Lucerne Piano Festival and Heidelberger Frühling. In 2025, he made his U.S. debut in the San Francisco Symphony’s acclaimed SoundBox series. As a pianist, Yalnız has appeared with major orchestras across Germany and developed a repertoire ranging from Bach and Mozart to Gershwin and contemporary composers. In 2022, he presented his large-scale work People-Fantasy, which received critical acclaim for its innovation and emotional depth. He is also particularly dedicated to the music of Frederic Rzewski, performing his monumental cycle The People United Will Never Be Defeated! in distinctive interpretations.

As a conductor, Yalnız has collaborated with ensembles including the Theater für Niedersachsen, the Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra Wernigerode, the Pori Sinfonietta in Finland, and the Colburn Orchestra in Los Angeles. His artistic growth has been shaped by work with distinguished conductors such as Jorma Panula, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, and Joana Mallwitz.

Yalnız is a prizewinner of numerous awards, among them the Eduard Söring Prize, the NDR Culture Promotion Prize, and both the Jury and Audience Prizes of the Pianale International Academy & Competition.

He is currently represented by Colburn Artists and pursues his multifaceted career as conductor, pianist, and composer with steadily growing international recognition.