Angela Otcuoglu

Biography

The Turkish-Canadian pianist, Angela Otcuoğlu, began her career at the age of seven at the Istanbul University State Conservatory. Her outstanding performance won her the first prize at the 2003 Yamaha Competition. Throughout her career, she participated in the masterclasses of Andrei Diev, Merited Artist of Russia, who described her as “a very talented, intelligent pianist”. She also had the opportunity to work with Diane Andersen, Bruno Canino, Pablo Galdo, and Robert Silverman. 

Angela successfully completed the Istanbul University State Conservatory’s Superior Studies Program in the same year as her graduation from Pierre Loti High School (French International School in Istanbul). In 2013, she began her academic life at McGill University’s Schulich School of Music where she received her Bachelor’s degree under the tutelage of Professor Marina Mdivani, who performed for such eminent musicians as Emil Gilels, Stravinsky, and Shostakovich. 

She won multiple international awards including Platinum Prize at the Canadian International Music Competition, Platinum Prize at the Global International Music Competition, Gold Prize at the Grand Maestro International Music Competition (Canada), 1st Prize at the MAP International Music Competition (United States), First Prize at the International Moscow Music Competition (Russia), Silver Hands Prize at the Carles & Sofia International Piano Competition (Spain), 2nd Prize at the International Clara Schumann Competition (1st Prize not awarded, Belgium), 2nd Prize at the Ischia International Piano Competition, 2nd Prize at the Concorso Pianistico Internazionale di San Donà di Piave (Italy) and 3rd Prize at the Academia Musica International Composer Prize (Vienna).

Angela successfully finished her Master's degree in piano performance with Professor Sara Laimon and graduated from The Global Leaders Program, an executive graduate certificate in social entrepreneurship, teaching artistry, civic leadership, cultural agency, and organizational management.
As a collaborative pianist, the young musician has enjoyed working with Jean Marchand, Theodore Baskin, and vocal coaches such as Annamaria Popescu, Michael McMahon, and Joanne Kolomyjec on a variety of art-song. A versatile soloist, Angela readily adapts to the demands of many classical genres and composers. 

A strong believer in social change through music, Angela performed, presented lectures, taught masterclasses in Panama and Chile to support music education, and performed in retirement homes in New York, Panama City, and Montreal. She is currently performing, teaching, and composing.