Ömer Aziz Kayhan is a dynamic conductor with a passion for orchestral and choral music. Born in 1997, his journey in music has taken him from his early years in Ithaca, New York, to international stages in Istanbul, Vienna and beyond.

His dedication to music and conducting was evident during his tenure as Assistant Conductor with the Cornell Wind Symphony in 2020-2021, where he performed Holst – First Suite in Eb and Strauss -Serenade for Winds op. 7.

Under the tutelage of the esteemed Mark Shapiro, Ömer honed his skills in score reading and orchestral conducting, immersing themselves in a diverse repertoire. This comprehensive musical education at Juilliard has been instrumental in shaping Ömer's artistry and deepening their understanding of the conductor's craft.

In May 2022, Ömer ventured to Vienna, Austria,where he collaborated with flautist James Strauss and a dedicated orchestra, Ömer took on the task of rehearsing and recording three of Mozart's Flute Concertos, K.313, 314, and 315, showcasing his musical prowess and attention to detail.

More recently he was selected as one of seven conductors for the Mostly Modern Festival, allowing him to rehearse and perform chamber compositions and conduct orchestral readings. His dedication to honing his craft led him to masterclasses with esteemed conductors like Aram Demirjian, JoAnn Falletta, and David Amado.

Additionally, Ömer was one of only two conducting fellows chosen for the Aspen Music Festival in Colorado, where he worked with the Grammy-nominated Seraphic Fire choir and conductors Patrick Dupre Quigley and Dr. James Bass.

Ömer's journey also included participation in the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, where he embraced the role of a Bass/Baritone Singer and had the privilege of working with renowned Maestro Simon Carrington and Ilya Polataev on a diverse repertoire.

He is currently a second-year master’s student in conducting at Eastman school of Music, studying with Dr. William Weinert. His upcoming performances will include Mondonville – De Profundis clamavi and BWV 100. Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan.