Born in 2003. Elif Işıl's musical talent was discovered by music education experts to whom she was directed
by her kindergarten teacher. After succeeding in the entrance exams, she started part-time conservatory
education on piano in 2010 and became Gökçe Göktepe's student.
She performed as a solo pianist in May 2011 Mehmet Akif Ersoy University ''International Young Talents
Music Festival'', in April 2012 Akdeniz University ''April 23 Children's Fest'', May of 2012 ''İstanbul Pera
Piano Festival'', June of 2012 the music school's concerts, her teacher Gökçe Göktepe's class concerts,
October of 2012 ''International Children's Summit'' opening concert, December of 2012 ATSO Fine Arts
High School, March of 2013 ''2nd Traditional Önder Altıntaş Piano and Strings Days'', May of 2013 TRT
(National Turkish State Radio Television) Radio Days concert, November of 2013 ''International Antalya
Piano Festival '',
May of 2014 ''Akdeniz University 4th Science and Art Festival Opening Concert'', May of 2016 Burdur
Mehmet Akif Ersoy University 5th International Classical Music Festival, July of 2016 Eğirdir Classical Music
Festival Opening Concert, May of 2017 in the concert of ‘Turkish Five by Elif Isil Karakas’ where she
presented and performed the music of five Turkish composers, February of 2018 in San Antonio with the
Concert Band of TMEA All-State conducted by Maestro Gary Green; on May 18, 2018, she made her debut
with the Antalya State Symphony Orchestra playing Mozart Piano Concerto No.21 under the baton of
Maestro Nesrin Bayramogullari, February of 2019 with the Symphonic Band of TMEA All-State conducted
by Steven D. Davis … She frequently plays recitals at the Manhattan School of Music.
In September 2012 Karakaş received second prize at the International ''Hopes, Talents, Masters'' Classical
Piano Competition in Bulgaria, Dobric and Albena cities. Between 17-25 April, she was sent to compete in
the ''10th Horowitz Competition'' by her university. In May 2015, Karakaş received 3rd prize at the "15th
International Piano Competition" by Skryabin Conservatory organized in Paris. Also in July of 2016, Karakaş
represented her country successfully at the Carmel Clavier International Classical Music Piano Competition
in Indianapolis, USA. Karakas, who has been admitted to the USA's largest school orchestra in August
2017, started her high school education here. On October 14, 2017, Karakaş received 3rd prize at the
Inter-School Classical Music Competition. Behind, Karakaş participated in Texas All-State Piano
Competition in October 2017 and 2018 where she won 1st prize for 2 consecutive years. The following year,
she won 3rd prize, in 2019.
She took the masterclasses of Tamara Poddubnaya, Özgür Aydın, Andreas Staier, Barış Büyükyıldırım,
Gergely Boganyi, Werner Bartschi, Andrea Lucchesini, Hüseyin Sermet, Freddy Kempf, Gülsin Onay, Ufuk
Dördüncü, Bahar Dördüncü, Khatia Buniatishvili, Joseph Rackers and Michael Mizrahi
Karakaş has been a part of the TRT (Turkish State Radio Television) Children's Turkish Music Choir and
currently continues to take part in her school choir as a correpetitor.
In June of 2013, Karakaş achieved great success in Antalya Science and Art Education Centre Gifted and
Talented Students School and was chosen ''Star Student'' in the 2015-2016 Education Year.
Karakas continued her piano studies with Prof. Nancy and John Weems from 2017 to 2020. Due to Prof
Weems’ cancer treatment, she later became a piano student of Prof. Robert Roux, with Prof. Weems’
approval, with whom Karakas studied until August 2021. Currently, she produces and presents a classical
music show called Classical Note on the national Radyobir channel, where she hosts world-renowned
classical music artists. She continues her piano studies with Prof. Daniel Epstein at the Manhattan School
of Music.
Other than music, she won places in chess, swimming and optimist (Sailing category of under 16-year-old
children) contests.
