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AYÇA AKIN

COMPOSER

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Winner: International Alliance for Women in Music Annual Concert Competition

Winner: International Alliance for Women in Music Annual Concert Competition

Upcoming Performances

Ayca Akin, composer
WQED Voice of the Arts Series

WQED FM, Voice of the Arts Series

“Ayça Akin takes music in a whole new direction. Her work blends genres of classical, contemporary classical and electronic music together to create film worthy compositions.”

ayca akin composer piano in studio

AYÇA AKIN is an award-winning composer trained in classical piano performance and orchestral composition.

Ayça Akın creates music that prioritizes emotional journey. Her storytelling is visceral, immediate, and unapologetically expressive. Akın composes for film, dance, live ensembles, and orchestras. Her work has appeared in several films and has been performed in Cologne, Budapest, New York City, and Pittsburgh, where she resides.

Akın studied piano performance at Carnegie Mellon University’s Music Preparatory School. From 2022 to 2024, she completed her orchestral composition studies under composer and teacher Leon Willett. Recognized for her musicality and emotional depth, Akın was nominated for “Best Composer of the Future” at the Cannes World Film Festival for her original score to the award-winning film The Balloon (2025).

Also in 2025, Akın won the Annual Concert Competition for the International Alliance for Women in Music. The Virago Symphonic Orchestra premiered her piece Tempesta in Cologne in September. Other recent commissions include new music for Confluence Ballet Company’s Spring 2026 season. Akın holds degrees from the University of Michigan and Carnegie Mellon University.

Latest

In June Akın won the International Alliance for Women in Music (IAWM) Annual Concert Competition. Antwerp’s Virago Symphonic Orchestra, led by award-winning conductor Pascale Van Os, premiered her winning piece Tempesta in Cologne this fall.

Antwerp's Virago Symphonic Orchestra performing Tempesta by composer Ayca Akin at Museum Schnutgen in Cologne, Germany. Performance led by conductor Pascale Van Os at the IAWM (International Alliance for Women in Music's) annual concert.
Best Composer of the Future nominee Ayca Akin Cannes world film festival
The Balloon film festival nominations
Poster for award-winning short film, The Act, director by Lance Parkin and starring Rick Dutrow. Original score by Ayca Akin.
Speaking about film scoring at the Cicada and Dead film premieres in April 2024.
Scene from The Hit (2024)
Opening titles for Dead (2024)
Scene from Dead (2024)
Scene from Dead (2024)
Scene from The Act (2024)
Scene from The Stranger (2024)

  • "Ayça elevates a film by her inclusion. Working with her was effortless and fulfilling. She captured how I wanted a moment to feel perfectly. We worked on three very different films, and it was as if the moments were pulled from my mind's eye."

    Lance Parkin, Director

  • "Ayça just got it when it came to the tone I needed for my film. The way she created tension made the film that much better. Ayça’s ability to create musical journeys is a true testament to her talent. I’d highly recommend Ayça for anyone’s project- she’s amazing!"

    Stephanie Swift, Director

  • "Working with Ayça was incredible! It can be difficult for me to communicate my musical vision, but her experience allowed her to bridge that gap and create an amazing soundtrack for my film. She made the entire process a pleasure."

    Smee, Director

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