Pianist Evren Ozel '21, '23 MM wins prestigious Avery Fisher Award

On March 28, Evren Ozel '21, '23 MM sat down at the piano in WQXR’s Jerome L. Greene Performance Space in New York City to perform Franz Liszt’s Les jeux d'eau à la villa d'Este.

Ozel has appeared on countless stages, including performances with the Cleveland Orchestra, Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, RTE National Symphony, and the Boston Pops. He was selected to participate in the Marlboro Music Festival and other summer chamber music festivals.

But this moment was different. His performance was part of the Avery Fisher Career Grant ceremony, and Ozel was one of the latest musicians to receive the prestigious award.

The Avery Fisher Career Grant is awarded annually to up to five musicians with the potential for significant careers in classical music. Fewer than 200 grants have been awarded since the program’s inception in 1976—including several with ties to New England Conservatory, such as pianist George Li,’ 22 AD, violinist Geneva Lewis, ’22 AD, and pianist and guest artist Jonathan Biss.

Ozel says he was “shocked” when he got the call but also sees the award as an opportunity to pay tribute to the many facets of his musical heritage. For instance, he first learned Liszt’s Jeux d’eaux—the piece he performed at the ceremony—after hearing recordings by his friend George Li '22 AD and Russell Sherman, distinguished Artist-in-Residence at NEC.

“I found George’s performance absolutely inspiring; it made me want to learn the piece,” Ozel says. “It’s also a piece that Russell Sherman played many times, just beautifully and incredibly.

“It was a very meaningful occasion for me as a musician and as a part of the NEC community.”

Ozel also hopes to use the $25,000 grant to self-produce a complete recording of Frédéric Chopin’s Mazurkas in honor of his mother Burcin Ozel and stepfather Tadeusz Majewski, a former concert pianist from Poland. Majewski played the Mazurkas frequently when Ozel was growing up.

“I remember for Chopin’s 200th birthday in March 2010, my dad sat at the piano and played all 51 Mazurkas,” he says. “I have a connection with those pieces. I’ve wanted to record them for a long time, and the Career Grant will help me move towards that goal.”

His parents have supported his musical pursuits since he started playing the piano at age 3. Wha Kyung Byun, a piano professor at NEC, has also guided his development for nearly a decade.

Ozel first studied at NEC in the Preparatory School while enrolled at Walnut Hill School for the Arts, an immersive and intensive arts high school in Boston. He then completed his undergraduate degree at NEC and is in his final semester of the Master of Music program. He plans to begin the Artist Diploma program next year. Byun has been his primary teacher every step of the way.

“She has the most capable ears of anyone I’ve ever met,” Ozel says. “She can hear every little detail in how I’m trying to phrase or voice something. It’s like she can hear what I’m thinking. She knows exactly what to say or do to guide me in the right direction.”

Byun says Ozel is a true disciple of music.

“He searches for the deepest meanings of the heart of music and the profound message of the composer,” she says. “He is someone who can say something with music and contribute to humanity to assure us that music and life are great gifts for all of us.”

Ozel says his time at NEC and studying with Byun have helped him develop his technical skills and allowed him to deepen his sense of listening. He’s also grateful to have a home base as he juggles his education and a busy performance schedule.

“I feel lucky to be at NEC, to find teachers who are willing to work with me on my schedule—to get my work done and still be an active participate in the class,” he says. “It’s really important to me to know that while I’m performing and touring, I have a support system that has my back.”