Hey! So nice to speak with you! Can you tell our readers a little bit more about yourself? Where are you originally from and where do you live now?

My name is Sıla Şentürk, and I was originally born and raised in Ankara, Turkiye. I moved to New York to continue my education at the Manhattan School of Music, and I've now been living in the city for over 5 years!

Tell us one thing you love about where you live now?

It isn’t easy to name just one thing I love about New York! If I had to choose, it would be the people and artists from all around the world who make the city so vibrant and inspiring.

Tell us a little bit more about what your company does and how it started? How does it help your customers?

I’m self-employed - a one-woman business in a sense! I’m a pianist who wears many hats: accompanist, chamber musician, teacher, artistic advisor, and my own manager. I knew I wanted to become a pianist from an early age and spent countless hours practicing to refine my skills. However, I didn’t realize until I moved to New York that pursuing my passion as a career also meant treating it like a business. I made my New York debut at Steinway Hall, followed by a concert at the Harvard Club, thanks to the Steinway Prize I received at the Bilkent Piano Festival. Later, I was named one of the “Women Stars of Tomorrow” by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts. I’m also very grateful to have received grants from prestigious foundations, such as the Borusan Kocabıyık and Dr. Nejat F. Eczacıbaşı Foundations, which provided me with the financial support to focus on my artistic development. My interest in contemporary music deepened over time, as did my enjoyment of collaborative projects. Teaching has always been an integral part of my life, but I’ve found new fulfillment in balancing both performing and teaching - it allows me to connect with music and people in different, meaningful ways.s

If someone wants to start a business, what's advice that will help them?

For anyone pursuing a music career, my biggest advice is: don’t be afraid to be versatile. Every musician needs a diverse set of skills to sustain a long-term career. This doesn’t mean spreading yourself too thin, but rather, embracing challenges and being open to new directions that can help you grow both artistically and professionally.

Where do you see your company in the future?

In the near future, I hope to bring to life a new project inspired by contemporary female musicians from different cultures who have lived in New York City. This project will blend visual and literary elements and feature some of my favorite musical works. I also plan to continue collaborating with artists across disciplines and to organize educational seminars in Turkiye, focusing on non-traditional repe

What is the biggest misconception about your industry?

One of the biggest misconceptions is that loving what you do is enough to guarantee success. Passion is essential, but the music industry, like any other, requires discipline, persistence, and business acumen. Beyond performing, you need to understand finances, networking, and marketing, especially early on when you’re often managing everything yourself.

What has been one of your biggest struggle building your business and how did you deal with it?

One of my biggest struggles has been balancing my time among studies, jobs, teaching, and performances. There were times I felt underprepared for rehearsals because I hadn’t had enough time to practice while juggling multiple commitments. Living in New York is expensive, so sometimes financial priorities had to come before artistic ones. During those moments, I doubted my decisions—but I learned from them. My piano teacher once told me, “The most important skill you can learn is how to say no.” That advice has proven invaluable. Once I learned to respect my time and prioritize projects that align with my artistic goals, I found greater balance and fulfillment. I now feel fortunate to be in a place where I can choose opportunities that truly matter to me.

Where can our readers learn more about you and your company?

You can visit my website at www.silasenturk.com or follow me on Instagram @silasenturk!