Aşkina Ashkinah-Sakinah-Shalom
June 12, 2022 at 6:30 PM at The Gindi Auditorium
presented by the Yunus Emre Institute
![Askina Flyer 5.25 A flyer for the June 12 concert Askina](https://lajs.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/FACEBOOKINSTAGRAM.jpg)
Reception & Exhibition began at 6:30 PM
Concert started at 7:30 PM
Yunus Emre Institute presents:
Aşkina
Ashkinah-Sakinah-Shalom
Promoting Cultural Unity Through Peace and Love
Aşkina featured composers and works from Sephardic-Jewish, Turkish, and Arabic communities. The concert used music as a bridge to develop cross-cultural understanding and communication between the cultures of the Near East and beyond.
Ticket proceeds from Aşkina benefitted UNICEF USA in support of their emergency work for the children of Ukraine.
The full concert title, “Aşkina Ashkina – Sakinah – Shalom,” ties together words of unity from the cultures represented in the program: “Love” (Turkish) – “Peace/Serenity” (Arabic), and “the spirit of God” (Hebrew) – “Peace/Harmony” (Hebrew) – “Peace” (Arabic/Hebrew).
Soloists included Turkish-American pianist Dr. Ayşe Taşpınar Gatenyo, Turkish ney/oud virtuoso Omar Faruk Tekbilek, Persian-American vocalist Chloe Pourmorady, Syrian oud player Asher Levy, ethnic percussionist M.B. Gordy, guitarist Alfredo Schiftan, and more!
Featured composers and pieces included the West Coast Premiere of Sharon Farber’s “Ashkina,” the US Premiere of Ulvi Cemal Erkin’s “Piano Concerto No. 1,” the World Premiere of Erberk Eryilmaz’s “Yan Yana,” “Dance of Abraham” by Nabil Azzam, and the World Premiere of “Journey to Love,” a medley arranged by Önder Özkoç based on melodies of Yunus Emre.
FEATURED SOLOISTS
![Headshot of pianist Ayse Taspinar Gatenyo.](https://lajs.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Ayse-Taspinar-Icon.jpg)
Dr. Ayşe Taşpınar Gatenyo
Pianist, Apricot Music & Art Founder
![Headshot of Omer Faruk Tekbilek](https://lajs.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Omar-Faruk-Tekbilek-Icon.jpg)
Omar Faruk Tekbilek
Ney/Oud Player
![Headshot of Chloe Pourmady](https://lajs.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Chloe-Pourmady-Icon-1.jpg)
Chloe Pourmorady
Vocalist
![Headshot of pianist Ayse Taspinar Gatenyo.](https://lajs.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Asher-Shasho-Levy-Website-Icon.jpg)
Asher Levy
Oud Player
![Headshot of Omer Faruk Tekbilek](https://lajs.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/MB-Gordy-Web-Icon.jpg)
M.B. Gordy
Percussionist
![Headshot of Chloe Pourmady](https://lajs.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Fredy-Schiftan-Website-Icon.jpg)
Alfredo Schiftan
Guitarist
FEATURED COMPOSERS
![Headshot of pianist Ayse Taspinar Gatenyo.](https://lajs.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Sharon-cropped.jpg)
Sharon Farber
Composer, Ashkina
![Headshot of Omer Faruk Tekbilek](https://lajs.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Nabil-Azzam_Headshot.jpg)
Nabil Azzam
Composer, Dance of Abraham
![Headshot of Chloe Pourmady](https://lajs.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Ulvi-Cemal-Erkin_Headshot.jpg)
Ulvi Cemal Erkin
Composer, Piano Concerto No. 1
![Headshot of pianist Ayse Taspinar Gatenyo.](https://lajs.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Brian-Keane-Icon.jpg)
Brian Keane
Composer, Ghizemli
(w/ Omar Faruk Tekbilek)
![Headshot of Omer Faruk Tekbilek](https://lajs.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Erberk-Eryilmaz_Headshot-Icon.jpg)
Erberk Erylmaz
Composer, Yan Yana
![Headshot of Chloe Pourmady](https://lajs.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/David-Eaton-headshot-icon.jpg)
David Eaton
Arranger, La Rosa Enflorence
![Headshot of pianist Ayse Taspinar Gatenyo.](https://lajs.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Shaul-Bustan_Headshot-Icon.jpg)
Shaul Bustan
Arranger, Gole Gandam
![Headshot of Chloe Pourmady](https://lajs.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Onder-Ozkoc_Headshot-Icon.jpg)
Önder Özkoç
Arranger, Journey to Love medley