Volkan returns to his essence for his finals

"Never give up, no matter what." That’s the message Volkan wants to share. “I was never that good at music theory, always a bit stronger in practice. Here at ArtEZ, I’ve had the chance to work on that and develop myself.” During his studies, he was challenged to grow not only musically but also personally. He overcame obstacles — from music theory to personal setbacks — one by one. Within the Academy of Pop Music, Volkan developed into a drummer, bandleader, and creative experience conductor who dares to tell his own story.

Shaping his own path

At the Academy of Pop Music, students are encouraged to create their own path. For Volkan, that meant performing with academy bands such as Lateesha and ESMÉ, growing as a bandleader, and making a film. Through this process, he discovered his strength as a multidisciplinary maker. “I’m here at the conservatory in the finals. And I’m secretly a little proud of that.”

Finals as a total experience

For his finals, Volkan returns to the core. In I AM HERE, he combines drums, spoken word, visuals, and storytelling into an energetic live performance. Together with an all-star band, he breathes new life into familiar songs and openly shares his personal journey of perseverance, growth, and staying true to yourself. Volkan shows how versatile a pop musician can be after graduating from the Academy of Pop Music.

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