Welcome to this wonderful and exclusive interview where we discuss the artistic journey, new projects, and much more with the multi-faceted artist Gülnaz Yılmaz Olguncan—who has made a name for herself with her victory in the Intellerzone International Music Competition Summer Next Gen 2025, touched listeners’ hearts with her song ‘Boş Tenekeler,’ and blends music, painting, and words on the same canvas.
Can you introduce yourself and tell us what you do?
“I was born on May 22 in Samsun and have been living in Istanbul for five years. I graduated from Anadolu University with a degree in Finance. I also hold diplomas in Turkish Music and Fine Arts (Painting) from the Samsun Metropolitan Municipality Conservatory. I performed as a soprano in the Samsun State Opera and Ballet Choir. I am a member of MSG (Musical Work Owners’ Society of Turkey), a lyricist, and a composer. I am also a painter whose works have been exhibited in international galleries and art fairs. Currently, I work as an editor and writer for Tek Magazin, while also writing columns for various magazines and newspapers. I am a multidisciplinary artist who carries out projects across the visual, auditory, and literary arts. I am married to the qanun artist, producer, and composer İlkay Olguncan.”
How did your journey in this field begin?
“No matter what job I tried, I felt I couldn’t breathe anywhere outside of art. I have been painting since I was three years old. I would draw patterns on paper with whatever paints I could find and stick them
on the walls. I was a highly perceptive child; at the age of three I befriended the university students living downstairs and practically lived at their door. I would have them read books to me for hours and ponder the meanings of words. I came into this world with the ability to turn colors, melodies, and words into art.
I first began singing in school choirs and won awards in interschool poetry competitions. Those poems
were the stepping stones to becoming a lyricist. Years later, during an interview, I met the head of the Turkish Language and Literature Department at Samsun Ondokuz Mayıs University, who is also a talented writer. During our conversation, he asked me to bring him some of my poems to review. After reading them, he said, “These are song lyrics—you would make an excellent songwriter. If you organize
them, I can even introduce you to Sezen Aksu.” I was stunned. Then he signed and dated the page of my
poems, saying, “One day you will remember this moment, and what I’ve told you will come true.” And indeed, he was right—I still keep that paper. I had the privilege of taking private vocal lessons from my esteemed teacher, Süheyla Yengi, at Sezen Aksu Studio Lonca. Being a student of the ‘Süheyla School’ has always been a source of pride for me. Her effort, patience, and inspiration have been immense in my journey as a vocalist. She encouraged me and illuminated my artistic path with her light; I am deeply grateful for every note, every breath, and her loving presence.
Later, I began taking lessons in the ney, an instrument whose sound I deeply love. Because I felt the universality of music, I auditioned for the Samsun State Opera and Ballet and was accepted. As a soprano in the SAMDOB choir, I progressed in Western music and performed in polyphonic choir concerts. Feeling that I also needed to learn Turkish music, I enrolled in the Turkish Music Department of the Samsun Metropolitan Municipality Conservatory and and performed in Turkish music concerts. At the same time, I continued my studies in the conservatory’s Painting Department and participated in numerous group exhibitions.
During that period, I personally gifted two of my paintings to Megastar Tarkan after attending his concert in Samsun. When he saw my paintings and spoke with me, he said, “An artist as talented and cultured as you belongs in Istanbul. What are you doing in Samsun? You should move to Istanbul.” He hugged me warmly and invited me to watch the concert from the front row. That heartfelt sentence became the pivotal inspiration that ultimately guided me to Istanbul.
I later advanced my music and painting education to a more professional level in Istanbul. I performed personal concerts with my own orchestra at cultural centers, museums, live music venues, and open-air stages. With Namaste Fusion Jazz, a group founded by my husband, I performed using classical Indian
instruments at concerts. I also participated in international music competitions. I released my song “Boş Tenekeler,” for which I wrote the lyrics and my husband composed the music, on all digital platforms after winning first place in the Community Intellerzone International Music Competition you organized. I performed my songs on television programs such as NOW TV Yetenek Sizsiniz (Turkey’s Got Talent) and TV8 Doya Doya Moda. Last year, under our own music company Musake Production, I released my single album “Şahidim İstanbul,” with lyrics by me and music by my husband İlkay Olguncan. My oil paintings have since been exhibited worldwide, including in the United States, the United Kingdom, Azerbaijan,
and Russia. I am also featured among Turkish painters in Japan’s Tricera Art Gallery.”
How would you describe your creative process?
“I first face my emotions and bring them to a place of understanding, then express them through art. I would describe it as the act of seeing the unseen, hearing the unheard, tasting a flavor yet untasted—transforming inner chaos into universal order. I follow the signs nature sends me and listen to the voice of my heart. My work is to carry darkness into the light.
What does a typical day look like for you?
“I’m an artist who sleeps during the day and works at night. The silence of night inspires me—when all thoughts quiet down and the world falls asleep, my creative mind awakens. That’s when I hear my inner voice most clearly. I live each day with intention and usually plan it the night before: household tasks, artistic work, spiritual lessons, and time for simple pleasures. I make sure to do something each day that
benefits nature, humanity, and myself. And of course, I enjoy Turkish coffee three times a day. At the end of the day, as I lay my head on the pillow, I ask myself, “What have I done today for humanity, for myself, and for the Creator?” I reflect inwardly. Life gives us a ticket for every single day, and I can’t bear to let even a moment pass without meaning. Because of this productivity, I have hundreds of unpublished songs, poems, and essays. I can honestly say I’ve already planned enough work and projects to last me a lifetime.”
What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced so far?
“I’m 38, and my entire life has been filled with challenges. My hardships began when I was still a baby, and at four years old a relative poisoned me—I spent 15 days in the hospital. Nothing in life has ever been handed to me on a silver platter. When my father went bankrupt during my childhood, I worked many jobs to continue my education. I attended the conservatory, held down jobs, and went to school all at the same time. Sometimes I fainted from exhaustion and lack of sleep.
I never expected help from anyone and held on to life with both hands. My father once told me, “I worked
hard and became wealthy, then lost it all. You must work and earn your own life. You can do it.” And I did. By my twenties my father had passed away. Without a safety net, you have no choice but to succeed.
I’ve faced bullying and pressure in my education, career, and family life. Some people tried to discourage me or even destroy me. Even when I was building my own home, I endured violence, insults, gossip, and slander. After winning first place in a composition competition, I was harassed and threatened simply for succeeding.
In my artistic life, obstacles were deliberately placed in my path. My projects, artworks, and poems were stolen. Those I trusted most often disappointed me. As I achieved more, friends and relatives drifted away. Yet none of these hardships—financial, emotional, or spiritual—ever diverted me from my path. They made me stronger. Of course I grew weary, but it’s like building muscle: when you exercise, your muscles tear microscopically and you feel pain, but they heal stronger. Life tests an artist destined for the highest peaks with every kind of trial. And in the end, the star shines
brighter.”
How do you stay motivated during difficult times?
“By working—especially when I don’t feel like working. I don’t listen to my body; I am here to expand infinite consciousness. My earthly existence is a channel for art to flow into awareness. I once read a story about my spiritual teacher’s own master, regarded as the greatest spiritual guide of his generation. To share his teachings, he would dip his feet in icy water to stay awake and write through the freezing Russian nights, often surviving on just a single onion a day. When I read how he endured hunger and poverty ye never gave up, I couldn’t hold back my tears. That story remains my greatest source of motivation. I see it like this: if there’s a fire outside, you know it will reach your room, so you won’t lie in bed lazily. In hard times, it’s the same for me— if you surrender, the fire consumes you. I tell myself, “Get up and move.” This is a world of action; the Creator keeps us in motion. You exhale what you inhale, you release what you consume. So I keep working and creating without letting my motivation falter.”
What has been your proudest moment so far?
“My husband, İlkay Olguncan, once had a dream. In it he saw lions bowing to him, five stars, and football players. Using my knowledge of esoteric and symbolic interpretation, I sensed the dream was connected to Galatasaray. Coincidentally, he had already composed a Galatasaray anthem and I had written lyrics for one. I said, “Let’s combine them,” and with pure faith we traveled from Samsun to Istanbul. No one around us believed in us. People said, “There are dozens of songs like yours.” But I saw the divine signs. While recording the piece, we kept encountering meaningful symbols. After completing the studio sessions, we needed to get the song to the Galatasaray Sports Club, but we didn’t know anyone there. The universe aligned everything: when I entered an exhibition in Pera, the right contacts and phone numbers appeared before me. We informed the club, and a Galatasaray manager arranged for our anthem to be played in an empty stadium. He loved it and said, “I was about to organize an anthem competition. I already have dozens of submissions, but we’re choosing yours.”
I will never forget that moment of pride. Our anthem became the first ever officially contracted club anthem for Galatasaray. Another manager added, “Even if you leave this world, your anthem will
remain in Galatasaray. One day it will have a place in the museum.”
When our İlk Aşkım Galatasaray anthem—lyrics by me, music by my husband—was played in the stadium, I thanked my husband for believing in me, myself for following my heart, the manager who trusted us, and the Creator. When we returned to Samsun, everyone who doubted us was astonished. Later, our anthem was featured in Fatih Terim’s “Europe’s Fatih” project, used in advertisements, and it is still played
in the stadium during matches. With that success, pride, and motivation, we entered the 2020 Trabzonspor Anthem Composition Contest organized by TRT and the Trabzon Ortahisar Municipality. Our
song Sevdamız Trabzonspor—lyrics by me, music by my husband—was chosen as the winner out of 380
entries.”
What advice would you give to someone just starting out?
“Seek the music that flows beyond the five senses. Think about music on a level higher than personal
concerns. Of course, while living in the physical world we create music and write lyrics through our own
consciousness. But music can lift us to a higher dimension—a sixth sense we rarely use. I advise stepping beyond music that caters to the ego. Work. Without work, talent leads nowhere. Sometimes you work when inspiration strikes, and sometimes you work to make inspiration come. Never give up. Don’t create music hoping someone will like or approve of it, and don’t fear mistakes or judgment. A child falls many times while learning to walk but never stops trying to stand. Our nature requires experiences to complete our growth. Strive to be a creator, not just a consumer. Create to resemble the Creator, not to
destroy or endlessly consume. If music is your field, of course you can learn from experienced, professional artists of the past—but do not merely repeat them.
Every person is unique and special. Don’t be afraid to express what’s in your heart. Every beating heart sings its own song. Listen to the sound of your own heart and contribute to music by creating and advancing it.”
Is collaboration important in your work? If yes, how?
“Collaboration is very important to me because everyone in life possesses different qualities, experiences, cultures, and perspectives. When at least two people come together, their ideas spark one another. Sometimes one person provides the spark and another ignites the flame.
Collaboration also pushes us out of our comfort zones and helps us learn new methods. As our ancestors said, “Two hands make a louder sound than one.” Working together allows us to progress faster. For example, I may be a strong artist, one collaborator may have the network, and another may specialize in promotion. I create, one uses their network, and another handles the marketing. As a result, we reach our audience more quickly, gain visibility, and turn our work into profit. I always work with a win–win mindset—everyone who works with me should benefit.”
How do you handle criticism or negative feedback?
“Criticism doesn’t measure my worth or the value of my art; it reflects the other person’s perspective and ideas. It’s entirely subjective. Generally, I don’t respond to negative attitudes, nor do I let them affect me. I walk my artistic path with confidence. If there’s constructive criticism, I reflect on it internally and may adopt a new approach.
But these days, social media has turned criticism into a way for people to vent words they would never say face to face. People often comment in areas where they lack knowledge or expertise. So I focus
on what and how the person sees, rather than their harshness. To me, feedback should exist only to
improve and refine. Anything else, I disregard.”
What are you currently working on?
“I’m working on a new single titled “Elimi Sallasam Ellisi,” with lyrics by me. I hope it will be released on all digital platforms in 2026. At the same time, I’m preparing my song “Süper Kadınım,” for the upcoming Women Composers Album project by a platform of female musicians. I’m also writing an oratorio and
compiling my poems to publish as a book. In the near future, we have waiting for their response.
Additionally, my husband, qanun artist İlkay Olguncan, and I dream of creating an album of spiritual melodies to serve the greater whole.”
Do you have a dream project or goal for the future?
“I have a completed, yet-to-be-published book that serves as a collaborative project with the Embassy of India. I have received a renewed invitation from the new Ambassador regarding this work. Bringing this project to life and strengthening the friendship between our two countries through culture and the arts is one of my primary goals.
Additionally, I have a pending project with the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Culture and Tourism. This initiative is dedicated to youth with restricted freedoms. During our meeting, the Deputy Minister expressed interest in executing this project together, and I am currently awaiting their final response.
Furthermore, my husband, Qanun artist İlkay Olguncan, and I share a dream of producing an album featuring spiritual melodies, aiming to serve the collective whole through music.”
What’s something surprising or little-known about your profession?
“Negative people and events actually fuel my inspiration. I have the power to transform anything
done with malice into something positive. Attempts to tear me down become stepping stones for me to
rise. That’s how my songs “Boş Tenekeler” and “Elimi Sallasam Ellisi” were born, as well as most of my unreleased upbeat pop songs. I write danceable music out of dark emotions—it’s like creative fuel.
I also have a prophetic side, which I express through art rather than words. I’m sharing this for the first
time in this interview: I see projects in my dreams. In my dreams I compose music and write songs, then wake up to record or jot them down immediately. I even saw the project I presented to the Ministry of
Culture and Tourism in a dream. In a few dreams, I’ve even envisioned inventions and drawn machine
blueprints.”
Any last words or message you’d like to share with our readers?
“Observe nature. Follow the system created by the Creator, not the system built by human ego. Divine
order and the universe speak to everyone. I will continue to share what I hear in my heart through art. I encourage you to listen courageously to your own heart— the most powerful answers will come from the most unexpected places.”
Is there anyone you would like to thank?
“I offer my heartfelt thanks to you for featuring me on your magazine cover and in this interview as part of the first-prize award from the Community Intellerzone International Music Competition. I deeply thank my husband, my life partner and beloved, İlkay Olguncan, for his compositions, qanun artistry, and constant love and support. My warmest thanks also go to the readers of Intellerzone Magazine and to my fans. And finally, I thank myself—for walking this path of art and life with courage and for never giving up on who I am.”
Listen now to ‘Boş Tenekeler’ by Gülnaz Yılmaz Olguncan, the winning song of the Summer Next Gen 2025 competition:
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