Meet Arda Aykut

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Arda Aykut. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Arda, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

Finding my purpose was obviously a very natural process. In other words, I did not make an extra effort to find it, on the contrary, it evolved over time as I loved my profession and its world on this journey. I think this has contributed a lot to me because in this way, I didn’t try to fit someone else’s purpose to myself, or I didn’t get lost in that search, on the contrary, I think I have a purpose that is completely my own, that suits me. That’s why every step, trial or goal I take with my instrument makes me excited and gives me hope.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I think being a violist, and therefore a classical musician, is a never-ending profession. Because I think that trying to reveal such an abstract work like art with concrete techniques, schools and eventually emotions and presenting it to the audience provides an endless field of discovery to this process. Therefore, such a never-ending profession has always kept me and my love for this work fresh and curious. Also, when you learn a new piece of music in this process, and every question that you can put a tick on at this stage gives me a great excitement to present it. Also, every moment that I can enjoy that music and present what I have discovered to an energetic audience on stage makes me say that I am so glad to be in this profession.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

I think it is definitely patience, labour and passion to life and to do all this out of love. At least from my own point of view, these three elements were indispensable in my life and for learning and holding on to this profession. So at least for beginners who want to engage in classical music, as someone who is still learning and on the way, I can advise them to make sure they have these three elements if they really want to. In order to develop these, I think what is needed is time and time trust. Because it didn’t all come at the same time for me. So instead of trying to have them all at the same time and trying to realise them immediately, we should accept our mistakes and shortcomings and try to evolve them over time. Because I can also say for myself that I have always learnt best from my mistakes.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

Of course, I try to keep my mind on something other than the subject that’s overwhelming me. I do this by going for a walk in the countryside, or listening to my favourite music to lift my mood, or reading a book, or, as I often do, talking to people I trust. For me, the most important factor in making all this work is to listen to myself. Because without understanding what is really overwhelming me or making me feel bad, I cannot apply the right treatment to myself. Because at the end of the day, it is our choice to be sad or happy. That’s why I think it’s very important for people to be able to support themselves and motivate themselves. That’s why I’ve definitely met supportive, kind-hearted people in an environment that allows me to be more conscious in these processes. So I think I have been able to apply all these methods successfully from my own point of view.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ardaykt/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ardayk02/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arda-aykut-b4b87a235/

Image Credits

Arın Aykut, Sergo Mèndez, Sergio Alegre Vicente