Our Team
Teachers
Meet the trainers, artists and facilitators who lead our courses in Cappadocia.
Ayşenur Yayan
Educator | Montessori Trainer | Creative Workshop Instructor
Ayşenur Yayan is an experienced educator, Montessori trainer, and creative workshop instructor based in Cappadocia. Her professional background combines education, child development, Montessori methodology, educational programme coordination, and hands-on creative arts. Throughout her career, she has worked as a teacher, preschool educator, education consultant, Montessori workshop coordinator, school administrator, trainer, and project coordinator. She has also delivered Montessori training to teachers, university students, parents, and education professionals, while contributing to the establishment and development of Montessori classrooms and learning environments. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in History from Bursa Uludağ University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development and Education from Istanbul University. Her professional development includes Basic, Advanced, Performance-Level and Teacher Training certifications in Montessori education, as well as training in special education, preschool child development, communication and educational practice. Alongside her educational career, Ayşenur has a strong interest in traditional crafts, handmade design and creative learning materials. She designs educational tools for children and works with a wide range of techniques and natural materials, including textiles, felt, ceramics, painting, embroidery and weaving. At Academy Cappadocia, she brings together education and creativity through practical, participant-centred workshops inspired by learning through experience and making. Workshop Areas Macramé & Creative Knotting Handmade Cloth Doll Making Embroidery & Cross-Stitch Punch Needle Needle Felting Tablet Weaving Montessori-Inspired Educational Material Design Creative Activities for Children and Educators Her workshops focus not only on creating a finished object, but also on the creative process, learning by doing, individual expression and the educational value of handicrafts. Teaching Approach “Every learner has a different way of discovering, creating and developing. I believe that meaningful learning happens when people are given the opportunity to experience, explore and create with their own hands.”
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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Betül Aytepe Serinsu
Ceramic Artist | Academic | Ceramic & Glass Educator
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Betül Aytepe Serinsu is a ceramic artist, academic, and educator whose work brings together traditional ceramic culture, contemporary art, material research, sustainability, and innovative production techniques. She graduated from the Ceramics Teaching Programme at Gazi University in 2001, completed her Master of Arts degree at Hacettepe University in 2006, and received her Ph.D. in Graphic Education from Gazi University in 2013. Since 2013, she has continued her academic career at Nevşehir Hacı Bektaş Veli University, Faculty of Fine Arts, Department of Ceramics and Glass, where she teaches and conducts artistic and academic research. Throughout her academic career, she has held several administrative positions, including Director of the Avanos Ceramics Application and Research Center, Director of Avanos Fine Arts Vocational School, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts, and Head of the Ceramics and Glass Department. Her artistic and academic practice has a strong connection with Avanos and Cappadocia's centuries-old ceramic tradition. Her research includes Avanos pottery and local clays, ceramic glaze technologies, alternative firing techniques, sustainable ceramic design, and the artistic use of Cappadocia's volcanic materials. In one of her recent projects, she explored the combination of Nevşehir's natural volcanic tuff stone with ceramic glazes, creating contemporary artistic applications inspired directly by the geological identity of Cappadocia. Her international experience includes artist residencies and research programmes in Hungary and China. In 2010, she conducted research on porcelain, ceramics, and glass at the International Ceramics Studio in Kecskemét, Hungary. In 2016, she continued her porcelain research at Jingdezhen Ceramic University in China, one of the world's most significant centres of porcelain culture. She has also represented her academic and artistic practice internationally through exhibitions, workshops, symposiums, and educational programmes. Within the Erasmus Teaching Mobility Programme, she taught ceramic techniques at the Faculty of Art and Design of the West University of Timișoara in Romania. Her works have been exhibited in numerous national and international exhibitions and are included in museum and institutional collections in Türkiye and abroad. At Academy Cappadocia, she brings together the region's ceramic heritage with contemporary art education, offering participants the opportunity to experience Cappadocia not only as a destination, but also as a living landscape of clay, craftsmanship, creativity, and cultural memory. Workshop Areas Traditional Avanos Pottery & Ceramic Culture Ceramic Design and Creative Clay Practices Ceramic Decoration Techniques Ceramic Glazing Techniques Alternative Ceramic Firing Techniques Raku, Saggar, Salt & Soda Firing Ceramic Transfer Techniques Glass Forming and Creative Glass Practices Ceramics with Mixed Materials Sustainable Ceramic Art & Design Cappadocia-Inspired Ceramic Design Contemporary Approaches to Traditional Craft Her workshops combine academic knowledge with hands-on artistic practice, encouraging participants to explore the relationship between material, place, culture, and contemporary design. Drawing inspiration from the clay traditions of Avanos and the unique geological landscape of Cappadocia, she creates learning experiences in which traditional craftsmanship becomes a starting point for experimentation and individual artistic expression. Teaching Approach “Ceramics carries the memory of the land. Through clay, traditional knowledge, experimentation and contemporary design, participants can establish a unique connection between material, culture and their own creative expression.”
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Derya Yazar
Photographer | Visual Storyteller | Photography Educator
Derya Yazar is an award-winning photographer, visual storyteller, and photography educator based in Cappadocia. Her artistic practice focuses on people, culture, everyday life, emotions, and the unique landscapes of Cappadocia, using photography as a universal language for telling human stories. She studied Fine Arts and Health Management and later completed her Master’s degree in Photography and Video at Haliç University, where her research explored the use and historical development of photography in the healthcare sector. Her interdisciplinary background has enabled her to approach photography not only as an artistic practice, but also as a powerful tool for communication, observation, education, and human connection. Throughout her photography career, she has received more than 300 awards in national and international photography competitions and has been recognised with honorary distinctions by photography organisations around the world. In 2018, she received the prestigious EFIAP – Excellence FIAP distinction from the International Federation of Photographic Art (FIAP). She has held 18 solo photography exhibitions and participated in numerous group exhibitions. Her work extends beyond conventional photography. She has developed photography-based art projects and educational practices that explore the relationship between visual expression, creativity, and human experience. She currently teaches photography as a master instructor at the Nevşehir Public Education Centre, develops project-based artistic work, and serves as a jury member in national and international photography competitions. Having lived in Cappadocia for many years and photographed in ten different countries, Derya brings a multicultural perspective to her work. Her photographs explore the extraordinary geography of Cappadocia as well as people and cultures from different parts of the world. For her, every photograph begins with a story — a moment where people, place, light, and emotion come together. At Academy Cappadocia, she transforms Cappadocia itself into an open-air photography studio. Participants learn not only how to create technically strong photographs, but also how to observe, discover stories, work with natural light, understand their surroundings, and develop their own visual language. Workshop Areas Photography in Cappadocia Visual Storytelling Travel & Cultural Photography Landscape Photography Street & Documentary Photography Portrait & Human-Centred Photography Natural Light Photography Composition & Visual Language Creative Photography Techniques Photography as a Tool for Cultural Discovery Photography Walks in Cappadocia Developing a Personal Photographic Style Her workshops combine technical knowledge, artistic observation, cultural discovery, and storytelling. Rather than simply teaching participants how to take a photograph, she encourages them to understand why a photograph is worth taking and what story it can tell. Cappadocia's valleys, traditional villages, local people, changing light, cultural heritage, and extraordinary geological formations provide a unique learning environment where participants can practise photography while experiencing the region from an artist's perspective. Teaching Approach “Every photograph begins with a story. Photography is not only about seeing what is in front of us, but about discovering the people, emotions, culture and traces of life hidden within a moment.”
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Emine Güzelyeşil
Traditional Carpet & Kilim Weaving Master Instructor
Emine Güzelyeşil is a certified Master Instructor specialising in traditional carpet and kilim weaving, based in Cappadocia. Her work focuses on preserving and teaching the traditional weaving techniques that form an important part of Anatolia’s cultural heritage. She holds an official Master Instructor Certificate (Usta Öğreticilik Belgesi) in the field of carpet and kilim weaving, issued within the framework of Türkiye’s Vocational Education Law No. 3308. This qualification enables her to combine traditional craftsmanship with structured, hands-on vocational education. At Academy Cappadocia, Emine introduces participants to the world of traditional Anatolian weaving through practical workshops where learning takes place directly at the loom. Workshop Areas Traditional Carpet Weaving Traditional Kilim Weaving Introduction to Anatolian Weaving Basic Loom Techniques Traditional Weaving Techniques Understanding Weaving Patterns and Motifs Hands-on Weaving Practice Traditional Handcrafts & Cultural Heritage Learning Through Craft Anatolian Textile Culture Her workshops go beyond learning a craft. Participants discover how traditional weaving reflects the culture, daily life, craftsmanship, and visual language of Anatolia, while experiencing the process of creating a woven piece with their own hands. Through step-by-step demonstrations and practical exercises, participants become familiar with the basic principles of carpet and kilim weaving and experience the patience, concentration, rhythm, and craftsmanship involved in traditional textile production. At Academy Cappadocia, these workshops create a connection between education, craftsmanship and intangible cultural heritage, transforming traditional weaving into an immersive learning experience. For international participants and educators, the workshops also provide an opportunity to explore how traditional crafts can be used as a tool for creative learning, cultural awareness, intercultural dialogue and learning by doing. Teaching Approach “Traditional weaving is more than creating a textile. Every knot, pattern and motif carries traces of culture, craftsmanship and memory. By learning through our hands, we also discover the stories and traditions behind the craft.”
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Fevziye Nur Uzman
Sculptor | Sculpture & Creative Arts Instructor
Fevziye Nur Uzman is a sculptor and creative arts practitioner specialising in clay modelling, stone sculpture, metal sculpture, mould-making, and experimental material techniques. She graduated from the Department of Sculpture at the Faculty of Fine Arts, Erciyes University, where she developed a multidisciplinary approach to sculpture through extensive practical work with different materials and production techniques. Her artistic practice combines technical knowledge with creativity, material exploration, and individual artistic expression. Throughout her artistic career, she has participated in more than 40 group exhibitions and has held three solo exhibitions focusing on clay modelling, stone, and metal sculpture. Her works reflect a strong interest in the relationship between material, form, technique, and contemporary artistic expression. In addition to producing her own artwork, Fevziye has gained experience in curating and organising exhibitions, taking an active role in exhibition planning, artwork placement, coordination, and event management. This experience enables her to approach art not only from the perspective of an artist, but also through the broader process of presenting and communicating artistic work. She has participated in stone sculpture workshops, developing practical experience in stone carving techniques, and has worked as an assistant at International Snow Sculpture Symposiums, collaborating with national and international artists. These experiences have strengthened her skills in large-scale sculpture production, teamwork, and collaborative artistic practice. Having also completed her pedagogical formation training, Fevziye combines her artistic practice with an educational perspective, creating learning environments based on experimentation, observation, creativity, and hands-on experience. At Academy Cappadocia, she introduces participants to sculpture through practical and creative workshops inspired by material, form, nature, and the extraordinary landscape of Cappadocia. Participants are encouraged not only to learn sculpture techniques, but also to explore how an idea can gradually be transformed into a three-dimensional artistic form. Workshop Areas Clay Modelling & Sculpting Introduction to Sculpture Stone Carving & Stone Sculpture Metal Sculpture Mould-Making Techniques Three-Dimensional Form & Composition Creative Sculpture Techniques Mixed-Material Sculpture Nature-Inspired Sculpture Cappadocia-Inspired Sculptural Forms Experimental Material Practices Sculpture as a Creative Learning Tool Her workshops combine artistic expression with hands-on learning, allowing participants to discover the characteristics of different materials while developing their creativity, observation skills, and three-dimensional thinking. Within the unique cultural and natural environment of Cappadocia, sculpture becomes more than a studio practice. The region's rock formations, textures, natural forms, and centuries-old relationship between people and stone provide a distinctive source of inspiration for exploring form and material. Teaching Approach “Sculpture begins with discovering the possibilities hidden within a material. Through touching, shaping, carving and experimenting, participants learn not only how to create a form, but also how to transform an idea into a three-dimensional expression.”
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İlyas Uysal
Head Instructor & Equestrian Director
“A horse is ridden through understanding, not force.” İlyas Uysal is an experienced equestrian instructor and field leader whose approach to horsemanship is built on trust, communication, discipline, safety, and mutual understanding between horse and rider. Born in 1975, İlyas completed eight years of high school and military academy education before joining the Turkish Gendarmerie General Command as a lieutenant in 1997. After 29 years of active service, he retired in 2025 with the rank of Colonel. His professional journey with horses began in 2002, when he received his first formal equestrian training at the Gendarmerie Mounted Sports Training Centre in Ankara. One year later, he was assigned to Nevşehir, where he became part of the founding staff of the Gendarmerie Horse and Dog Training Centre, an institution responsible for training horse and dog units from across Türkiye. Across four different periods of assignment, he spent a total of fourteen years at the centre, gaining extensive experience in equestrian training, horse preparation, rider development, field operations, and structured training environments. His international assignments further shaped his approach to leadership and communication. Through military operations in Bosnia and Afghanistan, as well as a diplomatic assignment in Spain, he gained extensive experience working in multicultural and international environments. He speaks Turkish, English, and Spanish. As Head Instructor & Equestrian Director at Academy Cappadocia, İlyas is responsible for shaping the safety culture and educational methodology of the equestrian programmes. He leads riding training, supervises horse preparation and instructor development, and establishes the field protocols required to create a calm, controlled, and participant-centred learning environment. His philosophy of horsemanship begins with a simple principle: a horse should not be controlled through force, but understood through communication. Training Areas Introduction to Horsemanship Horse–Human Communication Basic & Progressive Riding Skills Safe Horse Handling Understanding Horse Behaviour Rider Balance, Posture & Control Groundwork & Communication Exercises Horse Care & Preparation Trail Riding Skills Equestrian Safety & Field Awareness Leadership Through Horsemanship Experiential Learning with Horses Horse-Assisted Learning Activities Instructor & Guide Preparation At Academy Cappadocia, his programmes are designed to go beyond the conventional riding lesson. Participants first learn to observe the horse, understand its behaviour, establish communication, and build trust before focusing on riding technique. This approach makes the horse an active part of the learning experience. Working with horses naturally requires participants to develop patience, awareness, confidence, clear communication, emotional control, responsibility, and leadership. The extraordinary landscape of Cappadocia provides a unique environment for this learning process. Training can move from the arena to the field, allowing participants to experience horsemanship within the valleys and natural landscapes of a region historically known for its connection with horses. For international educators and participants, these experiences can also be integrated into programmes focusing on experiential education, communication, teamwork, leadership, personal development, and learning through nature. Teaching Philosophy “A horse is ridden through understanding, not force. Before asking something from a horse, you must learn to observe, listen and communicate. Trust comes first; technique follows.”
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İsmail Süzer
Turkish Music Educator | Ney, Oud & Qanun Instructor | Music Therapy Researcher
İsmail Süzer is a Turkish music educator, musician, and researcher specialising in traditional Turkish music, ney, oud, qanun, music education, and music therapy. He graduated from the Music and Performing Arts Department of the Faculty of Fine Arts at Nevşehir Hacı Bektaş Veli University in 2019. He later completed his Master’s degree in Fine Arts Education at the same university, focusing his academic research on Music Therapy in the Process of Music Education. Combining academic knowledge with years of performance and teaching experience, İsmail has taught at university level in the fields of Turkish Classical Music, Turkish Folk Music, choir, Turkish music orchestra, and individual instrument education. As a visiting lecturer at Nevşehir Hacı Bektaş Veli University, he has provided individual instrumental training in ney, oud, and qanun, bringing traditional musical practice into a structured educational environment. His connection with traditional music and Sufi cultural heritage began long before his academic career. Between 2006 and 2013, he worked at Saruhan Caravanserai Cultural Centre as a semazen and sema instructor, and from 2013 to 2018 he continued there as a ney performer. He later taught ney and oud at Hijazz Music and Art Course and ney, oud, and qanun at Bilge Ballet and Music Course. He also continues his artistic practice as a ney and oud performer at Motif Cultural Centre. An important part of his academic work focuses on the relationship between music, education, and music therapy. His Master’s thesis investigated music therapy within professional music education, and his academic publications and research continue to explore how music can contribute to educational environments and human experience. He has also completed Pedagogical Formation Training and training in Tourism Activities, strengthening his ability to combine music education with cultural and experiential programmes designed for diverse participant groups. At Academy Cappadocia, İsmail introduces participants to the rich musical heritage of Anatolia through practical, experiential workshops. From discovering the distinctive sound and breathing techniques of the ney to exploring traditional Turkish instruments, rhythm, makam, and musical expression, his courses are designed to make Turkish music accessible even to participants encountering this tradition for the first time. Workshop Areas Introduction to Turkish Music Ney: Sound, Breath & Expression Ney for Beginners Oud & Qanun Introduction Traditional Turkish Instruments Turkish Classical Music Turkish Folk Music Introduction to Turkish Makam Rhythm & Musical Expression Sufi Music & Musical Heritage Music, Culture & Anatolian Traditions Music Education Through Experience Introduction to Music Therapy Music, Emotion & Well-being Creative Music Activities for Educators His workshops combine music, cultural heritage, active participation, and experiential learning. Participants are encouraged not only to listen to Turkish music, but to experience its instruments, sounds, rhythms, and cultural background firsthand. Within Cappadocia's unique cultural atmosphere, music becomes a gateway to understanding a deeper layer of Anatolian heritage. The sound of the ney, the tradition of Sufi music, and centuries-old musical practices provide participants with an opportunity to explore the relationship between sound, culture, emotion, and human expression. For international educators, his workshops can also demonstrate how music can be integrated into educational environments as a tool for creativity, cultural awareness, communication, emotional expression, and interdisciplinary learning. Teaching Approach “Music is more than sound; it is a language of culture, emotion and human connection. Through listening, breathing, playing and experiencing together, participants can discover both the musical heritage of Anatolia and new ways of expressing themselves.”
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Metin Emre Ergüden
Music Educator | Violin, Bağlama, Guitar & Orff Percussion Instructor
Metin Emre Ergüden is a music educator and multi-instrumental instructor based in Ürgüp, Cappadocia. Born in Niksar, Tokat, in 1991, he graduated from the Department of Music and Performing Arts at Nevşehir Hacı Bektaş Veli University, where he developed his musical practice across a range of instruments and educational approaches. His areas of expertise include violin, bağlama, guitar, rhythm, Orff-based music activities, and percussion instruments. This multi-instrumental background allows him to approach music education through melody, rhythm, movement, coordination, and active participation. He is currently the founder of a private art centre affiliated with the Turkish Ministry of National Education, where he continues to provide music education to his students. Combining his experience as both an educator and an art centre founder, Emre approaches teaching as an active and creative process in which participants learn music through practice, interaction, and experience. For Emre, art is not only a professional field but also a passion and a way of life. Sharing his knowledge and experience with others and contributing to their artistic and personal development are at the heart of his educational approach. At Academy Cappadocia, he brings together instrumental music, rhythm, movement, and creativity through practical and participatory workshops designed for both learners and educators. Workshop Areas Violin for Beginners Introduction to Bağlama Guitar for Beginners Rhythm & Percussion Orff-Based Music Activities Body Percussion & Rhythm Creative Music Education Music, Movement & Coordination Group Music Activities Learning Music Through Play Anatolian Music & Instruments Creative Music Activities for Educators Experiential Music Learning His workshops are based on active participation and learning by doing. Through instrumental practice, rhythm exercises, movement, group activities, and creative musical experiences, participants are encouraged to develop their sense of rhythm, listening skills, coordination, creativity, and confidence. For international educators participating in Academy Cappadocia programmes, his workshops can also provide practical methods for incorporating music, rhythm, movement, and Orff-inspired activities into educational environments. Living and working in Ürgüp, Emre continues to combine his passion for music with education, creating environments where participants can discover music not simply as a subject to be learned, but as a shared creative experience. Teaching Approach “Music is not something we only listen to; it is something we experience together. Through rhythm, movement and instruments, everyone can discover their own way of expressing themselves through music.”
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Mustafa Kopal
Music Educator | Clarinet, Piano, Bağlama & Multi-Instrument Instructor
Mustafa Kopal is a music educator and multi-instrumental instructor whose teaching approach combines instrumental training, rhythm, vocal practice, ensemble work, and stage experience. Born in Meram, Konya, in 1993, his interest in art and music began at an early age and gradually became the foundation of his professional career. Following his secondary education, he pursued his passion for music at Nevşehir Hacı Bektaş Veli University, Faculty of Fine Arts, Department of Music and Performing Arts, graduating in 2017 from the Clarinet Main Art Branch. In the same year, he completed his Pedagogical Formation Training at the university’s Faculty of Education, strengthening his professional background as a music educator. His musical expertise covers a wide range of instruments and practices, including clarinet, bağlama, piano, guitar, percussion and rhythm instruments, vocal training, and ukulele. This multi-instrumental background allows him to create learning environments where melody, rhythm, listening, coordination, and performance come together. Since completing his university education, Mustafa has worked actively as a music teacher in different educational institutions. His professional experience includes teaching at Uğur Schools Cappadocia Campus, Model College, Meram Public Education Centre, and Pema College, where he has worked as a music and piano instructor with learners from different educational backgrounds. Throughout his teaching career, he has been involved in individual instrument lessons, choir activities, stage performances, music ensembles, and various artistic organisations. His educational philosophy goes beyond developing technical musical skills; he also aims to strengthen students’ artistic perspective, self-confidence, creativity, and ability to express themselves through music. At Academy Cappadocia, Mustafa brings together instrumental music, rhythm, ensemble practice, and creative expression through practical and participant-centred workshops. His multi-instrumental experience makes it possible to design activities for both beginners and educators who want to discover new ways of integrating music into learning environments. Workshop Areas Clarinet for Beginners Piano for Beginners Introduction to Bağlama Guitar & Ukulele Rhythm & Percussion Vocal & Singing Activities Creative Music Education Group Music & Ensemble Activities Choir & Collective Music Practice Anatolian Music & Instruments Music, Rhythm & Creative Expression Instrumental Music Workshops Creative Music Activities for Educators Experiential Music Learning His workshops are based on learning by doing, listening, playing, and creating together. Participants are encouraged to explore music through instruments, rhythm exercises, group activities, and performance while developing their confidence and individual forms of musical expression. For international educators participating in Academy Cappadocia programmes, his workshops can also provide practical examples of how rhythm, instruments, ensemble activities, and musical expression can be incorporated into educational settings to encourage participation, creativity, and communication. Mustafa believes in the transformative power of art and continues to develop himself as both an educator and musician while sharing his musical knowledge and stage experience with new generations. Teaching Approach “Music education is not only about learning an instrument. It is about listening, creating, performing together, and discovering the confidence to express yourself through music.”
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İnayet Coşgun
Pilates, Yoga & Wellness Instructor | Movement & Well-being Educator
İnayet Coşgun is a certified Pilates, yoga, and wellness instructor whose professional approach focuses on movement, body awareness, balance, flexibility, and well-being. Born in Niğde in 2001, she graduated from Nevşehir Hacı Bektaş Veli University, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Department of Coaching Education in 2023. She began her Pilates training during her university years and has been actively teaching and gaining practical field experience since 2020. Her professional qualifications include Level 3 Senior Pilates Instructor, Level 1 Wellness Instructor, and Level 1 Yoga Instructor certifications. This multidisciplinary background allows her to combine Pilates, yoga, movement, and wellness practices within a holistic and participant-centred approach. In 2025, İnayet founded her own Pilates Academy, where she continues to provide regular training. Alongside studio-based instruction, she organises yoga and mat Pilates sessions in Cappadocia, collaborating with hotels and different venues to bring movement and wellness practices into inspiring environments. Her experience also extends beyond conventional indoor classes. As shown in her portfolio, she leads both outdoor movement sessions surrounded by nature and indoor yoga practices in Cappadocia’s distinctive architectural spaces, creating experiences where movement and the surrounding environment become part of the same learning process. At Academy Cappadocia, İnayet brings together movement, body awareness, mindfulness, and experiential learning through practical sessions designed for participants of different backgrounds and experience levels. Workshop Areas Mat Pilates Yoga for Beginners Pilates for Beginners Wellness & Healthy Movement Body Awareness & Conscious Movement Mobility & Flexibility Balance & Posture Breathing & Movement Morning Yoga in Cappadocia Outdoor Pilates & Yoga Mindful Movement Movement, Relaxation & Well-being Wellness Activities for Educators Movement-Based Experiential Learning Her workshops focus on helping participants develop a stronger connection with their bodies through controlled movement, breathing, balance, flexibility, and conscious awareness. Rather than approaching movement only as physical exercise, her sessions encourage participants to experience it as part of a broader sense of personal well-being. Cappadocia provides a distinctive setting for this approach. Valleys, natural landscapes, terraces, gardens, and traditional spaces allow yoga and Pilates sessions to move beyond the conventional studio environment and become part of the participant’s experience of the region. For international educators participating in Academy Cappadocia programmes, her workshops can also introduce practical ways of using movement, breathing, body awareness, and short wellness activities to support more active and engaging learning environments. Teaching Approach “Movement is a way of becoming more aware of ourselves. Through conscious movement, balance and breathing, we can create space to feel stronger, more focused and more connected with our bodies.”
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Neşe Didinmez
Visual Artist | Art Educator | Painter & Gallery Founder
Neşe Didinmez is a visual artist, art educator, and gallery founder based in Nevşehir, Cappadocia. Her professional journey brings together painting, graphic design, art education, creative workshops, artistic production, and contemporary art practices. Her formal education in the arts began at Nevşehir Hacı Bektaş Veli University, where she first graduated from the Department of Graphic Design. She later continued her artistic education at the same university and completed a second degree at the Faculty of Fine Arts, Department of Painting. This multidisciplinary background enables her to combine the principles of visual communication and design with the expressive possibilities of painting. For the past nine years, Neşe has been working as an art teacher, sharing her knowledge and artistic experience with learners while continuing her own creative practice. In addition to teaching, she produces original artworks in her private studio, provides individual art lessons, and organises workshops for participants from different age groups. As an active artist, she has participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions, art events, and fairs, presenting her work to diverse audiences and continuously developing her own artistic language. Neşe is also the founder of CappArt Gallery, where she works with artists and participates in major art fairs across Türkiye. Through the gallery, she contributes to bringing artists and their works together with art enthusiasts and collectors, giving her a professional perspective that extends beyond artistic production into curation, exhibition, presentation, and the contemporary art ecosystem. At Academy Cappadocia, Neşe combines her identities as an artist and educator to create hands-on learning experiences where participants can explore colour, form, composition, observation, creativity, and personal expression. Workshop Areas Painting & Creative Expression Drawing & Sketching Introduction to Visual Arts Colour & Composition Creative Painting Techniques Cappadocia-Inspired Painting Landscape & Nature-Inspired Art Visual Storytelling Through Art Graphic Design & Visual Communication Mixed-Media Art Creative Art Workshops Art Activities for Different Age Groups Creative Art Education for Educators From Idea to Artwork Exhibition & Art Presentation Her workshops are designed not simply to teach participants how to paint, but to encourage them to observe, interpret, experiment, and develop their own visual language. Through practical exercises and individual creative processes, participants experience art as a means of communication and personal expression. The extraordinary visual environment of Cappadocia offers a particularly inspiring setting for this approach. Its rock formations, valleys, changing colours, traditional architecture, textures, and cultural landscape can become starting points for observation and artistic interpretation, transforming the region itself into an open-air source of inspiration. For international educators participating in Academy Cappadocia programmes, her workshops can also demonstrate how painting, drawing, visual thinking, and creative expression can be incorporated into education to encourage imagination, observation, communication, and active participation. Neşe believes that art is not something that should only be produced or exhibited; it is also something to be shared, taught, experienced, and used to bring people together. This philosophy forms the foundation of both her artistic practice and her approach to education. Teaching Approach “Art is not only about creating an artwork. It is a way of observing, expressing, sharing and connecting. Through art, every participant can discover their own visual language and a new way of seeing the world.”
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Rabia Atasoy
Creative Upcycling & Handcraft Instructor | Decorative Arts Practitioner
Rabia Atasoy is a creative arts and handcraft practitioner specialising in upcycling, decorative painting, furniture transformation, and hands-on creative workshops. Born in Istanbul and currently living in Cappadocia, she has been developing her practice in painting, crafts, and creative transformation since 2017 through training, experimentation, and practical projects. Her work focuses particularly on giving existing objects and materials a new life through creativity. Over the years, she has worked on the transformation of wooden objects, furniture, and decorative pieces, redesigning items from kitchens, bathrooms, living spaces, and interiors through painting and creative applications. At the heart of Rabia’s creative philosophy are reuse, sustainability, and upcycling. She believes that an old, unused, or ordinary object does not necessarily need to be discarded; with imagination, colour, and the right techniques, it can be transformed into something with a new character, purpose, and aesthetic value. Her practice includes a variety of creative techniques such as wood and object painting, furniture renovation, decorative painting, ebru, punch needle, and piñata design and making. She is also interested in developing creative activities for children and adults, encouraging participants of different ages to transform their own ideas into unique handmade works. At Academy Cappadocia, Rabia brings together creativity, sustainability, and learning by doing through practical workshops where participants are encouraged to experiment with materials, colours, textures, and techniques. Workshop Areas Creative Upcycling Furniture Painting & Transformation Wood & Object Painting Decorative Painting Techniques Creative Reuse of Everyday Objects Ebru – Traditional Turkish Marbling Punch Needle Piñata Design & Making Sustainable Arts & Crafts DIY Creative Workshops Creative Activities for Children Hands-on Art Workshops for Adults From Old to New: Creative Transformation Sustainability Through Art & Design Her workshops are based on the idea that creativity does not always begin with a new material. Sometimes, the most meaningful creative process begins by looking at something familiar from a completely different perspective. Rather than asking participants simply to reproduce a predetermined object, Rabia encourages them to understand the material, experiment with different techniques, make their own choices, and develop a personal aesthetic. This transforms the workshop from a simple craft activity into an experience centred on creativity, problem-solving, sustainability, and individual expression. For international educators participating in Academy Cappadocia programmes, her workshops can also demonstrate practical ways of introducing sustainability and environmental awareness through creative activities. Upcycling provides an accessible way to explore how everyday materials can become educational tools for creativity, imagination, and responsible consumption. Within the inspiring environment of Cappadocia, these workshops offer participants the opportunity to slow down, create with their hands, experiment with traditional and contemporary techniques, and transform ordinary materials into objects carrying their own personal stories. Teaching Approach “Creativity is not always about making something new. Sometimes it begins by seeing what already exists with new eyes. Through colour, imagination and personal expression, an ordinary object can be given a completely new story.”
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Sevil Kızılbayrak
Professional Photographer | Cappadocia Photography & Visual Experience Instructor
Sevil Kızılbayrak is a professional photographer and creative entrepreneur based in Nevşehir, Cappadocia. What began as a passion for photography in childhood gradually developed into a professional career, and since 2015 she has been working commercially as a professional photographer. Her work is closely connected to the unique visual identity of Cappadocia. She specialises in wedding, couple, honeymoon, family, individual, and tourist photography, creating distinctive photographic experiences for visitors from around the world. Rather than approaching photography simply as taking pictures, Sevil designs the entire visual experience. She plans shoots around some of Cappadocia’s most characteristic elements, including hot-air balloons, fairy chimneys, valleys, caves, horses, and traditional locations, while also coordinating costumes, accessories, concepts, and shooting locations. As the founder of her own photography studio, she manages the full creative and professional process, from concept development and outdoor photography to image editing, client relations, and final delivery. In 2022, she expanded her business by opening a second studio, strengthening both her professional practice and her role as an entrepreneur in Cappadocia’s photography sector. Education and knowledge-sharing have also become an important part of her professional journey. Over the years, she has provided hands-on training to students and aspiring photographers, helping them gain practical experience and become familiar with the professional photography industry. She is currently continuing her university education in Graphic Design, further developing her knowledge of visual communication, composition, aesthetics, and design alongside her extensive professional photography experience. At Academy Cappadocia, Sevil transforms the extraordinary landscape of the region into an open-air photography classroom. Her workshops combine technical photography skills, visual composition, concept development, location planning, and hands-on shooting experience. Workshop Areas Photography in Cappadocia Outdoor Photography Travel & Tourist Photography Portrait Photography Couple & Lifestyle Photography Natural Light Photography Photography with Hot-Air Balloons Horse & Equestrian Photography Landscape & Location Photography Composition & Visual Aesthetics Creative Photography Concepts Costume & Concept Planning Photography in Cappadocia’s Valleys & Traditional Settings Photo Editing From Concept to Final Image Practical Photography Workshops Her workshops are particularly focused on learning through real shooting experiences. Participants can explore how location, natural light, subject, costume, movement, background, and composition work together to create a successful photograph. Cappadocia provides a unique environment for this approach. From the changing morning light and hot-air balloons to valleys, rock formations, horses, and traditional architecture, the region offers an extraordinary variety of settings for understanding photography in practice. For international participants and educators, her workshops can also demonstrate how photography can be used as a tool for visual storytelling, observation, creativity, cultural exploration, and communication. Drawing on nearly a decade of professional experience, Sevil brings an important practical dimension to Academy Cappadocia: the perspective of a photographer who works with real people, real locations, changing natural conditions, and professionally planned visual concepts every day. Her goal is not simply to help participants take better photographs, but to teach them how to recognise and create a memorable visual experience. Teaching Approach “A memorable photograph begins long before the camera captures the image. Light, location, concept, emotion and the person in front of the camera all become part of the same story. My aim is to help participants learn how to see and create that story.”
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Evren Topuz
Traditional Avanos Pottery Master | Ceramic Artisan & Master Instructor
Evren Topuz is a master potter, ceramic artisan, and instructor from Avanos, Cappadocia, with more than 30 years of professional experience in traditional pottery and ceramic production. His journey with clay began in 1992, at the age of 12, when he entered the craft as an apprentice in Avanos. Growing up within one of Anatolia’s most important pottery traditions, Evren learned his craft through direct experience in the workshop. During his early apprenticeship, he worked in pottery production and gradually mastered the fundamental processes of clay preparation, wheel throwing, shaping, and traditional production techniques. From 1998 onwards, his professional practice expanded from production into tourism and cultural presentation. Working at Sırça Seramik, Güray Museum, and Anadolu Çömlekçilik, he produced pottery and ceramics while also demonstrating traditional Avanos pottery techniques to visitors from Türkiye and around the world. These years gave him extensive experience in communicating a traditional craft to people from different cultural backgrounds. Through live demonstrations and hands-on activities, he developed an approach that makes the centuries-old pottery tradition of Avanos accessible, engaging, and experiential. In 2008, Evren established his own workshop, where he has continued his work as both an artisan and educator. Alongside producing handmade pottery and ceramic pieces, he has trained apprentices and contributed to the development of new generations of craftspeople as a Master Instructor (Usta Öğretici). At Academy Cappadocia, Evren brings more than three decades of craftsmanship directly into the learning environment. His workshops allow participants not simply to observe traditional pottery, but to sit at the potter’s wheel, work directly with clay, understand the behaviour of the material, and create with their own hands. Workshop Areas Traditional Avanos Pottery Pottery Wheel Experience Introduction to Pottery Making Clay Preparation & Shaping Wheel Throwing Techniques Traditional Ceramic Production Handmade Ceramic Objects Traditional Pottery Techniques From Clay to Form Cappadocia & Avanos Pottery Heritage Hands-on Pottery Workshops Traditional Craftsmanship Pottery as Intangible Cultural Heritage Creative Clay Activities Master–Apprentice Learning His workshops are rooted in the traditional master–apprentice culture through which he learned the craft himself. Participants are introduced to the material step by step, learning how clay responds to pressure, movement, water, balance, and the rhythm of the potter’s wheel. The location adds another dimension to the experience. Avanos has a long-established pottery culture, and for Evren, teaching pottery in Cappadocia means sharing not only a production technique but also a living cultural tradition that has been passed from one generation to another. For international educators and participants at Academy Cappadocia, his workshops can therefore become an exploration of craftsmanship, cultural heritage, creativity, patience, concentration, and learning by doing. With more than 30 years spent working with clay, teaching apprentices, producing ceramics, and introducing visitors to Avanos pottery, Evren represents the connection between traditional knowledge and experiential education that lies at the heart of Academy Cappadocia. Teaching Approach “Pottery is learned through the hands. When you touch the clay, feel the movement of the wheel and begin to shape the material yourself, you are not only making an object — you are becoming part of a tradition that has been carried from master to apprentice for generations.”
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Naile Bozkurt
Traditional Ebru Artist | Intangible Cultural Heritage Bearer | Art & Workshop Instructor
Naile Bozkurt is a traditional Turkish Ebru artist, artisan, and educator based in Uçhisar, Cappadocia. Born in Mustafapaşa, Ürgüp, in 1960, she is the founder and artist of Naile Sanat Evi, where she continues to create, teach, and introduce traditional Turkish arts to visitors from Türkiye and around the world. Her artistic journey began in 1977 with training in sewing and hand embroidery at a public education course in Mustafapaşa. Over the following years, she expanded her knowledge through different traditional and decorative arts, including flower making, ceramics, mould-making, macramé, doll making, jewellery design, leather painting, and decorative knotting. In 1994, while working as a nurse in Social Services in Mersin, she was selected to participate in a special Training of Trainers programme organised through cooperation between the General Directorate of Social Services and Ankara University. As one of only 20 participants from across Türkiye, she received multidisciplinary craft training designed to prepare instructors who would teach practical skills to elderly people and children in institutional care. Her journey with Ebru – the traditional Turkish art of marbling began in 1998, initially through experiments with marbling on fabric. In 2000, she completed a 200-hour Ebru training programme certified by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Building upon the traditional knowledge she received from Figen Yurtseven, a student of Ebru master Fuat Başar, Naile continued to develop her own techniques and artistic language. In 2005, her works were officially recognised as artistic works by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and she was recognised as an artist. She opened her first solo exhibition at the Alanya Cultural Centre in the same year. Her connection with Cappadocia began in 2007, when she came to the region to create stained-glass paintings for Museum Hotel. Since then, Cappadocia has become both her home and the centre of her artistic practice. A major milestone in her career came in 2012, when she successfully completed the evaluation and examination process of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and was registered in Türkiye’s Intangible Cultural Heritage Bearers Inventory as a traditional Ebru artisan. In the same year, she received an award for her contribution to keeping the art of Ebru alive at the First World Ebru Day. Naile has continuously explored the possibilities of Ebru beyond its traditional application on paper. Today, she creates marbling on silk, ceramics, leather, papyrus, glass, canvas, wood, and various other materials, and is capable of producing Ebru works measuring up to two metres. Her artistic practice also combines Ebru with visual references to Turkish and Anatolian cultural heritage, incorporating motifs and figures such as Hittite symbols, whirling dervishes, Şahmaran, Kubadabad tile patterns, fertility figures, and traditional Turkish decorative motifs. In 2013, she participated in the creation of a 76.47-square-metre Ebru work for a Guinness World Record project. In 2014, she successfully developed a technique for applying Ebru to ceramic tiles and glazing the finished work. Her international artistic career includes exhibitions and cultural presentations in Germany, China, South Korea, and the Philippines. In 2015 and 2016, she exhibited at Kleinsassen Kunststation in Germany. In 2016, with the support of Turkish Airlines and Ahiler Development Agency, she introduced Ebru and Cappadocia in China and South Korea. The same year, she was invited as an artist to Manila during the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament, where she represented Türkiye, Cappadocia, and Turkish Ebru art. Throughout her career, Naile has participated in 55 exhibitions — 40 solo and 15 group exhibitions — in Türkiye and abroad. Her works have attracted international collectors and art enthusiasts, while her Uçhisar studio has become a place where visitors can experience traditional Ebru through live demonstrations and hands-on workshops. Her multidisciplinary background has continued to expand. She received an Art Therapist Certificate in 2020, followed by a Mastery Certificate in Hand and Machine Embroidery from the Turkish Ministry of National Education in 2023 and a Mastery Certificate in Decorative Arts in 2024. In 2025, she also began creating and teaching Ottoman mosaic lamp workshops. At Academy Cappadocia, Naile brings together traditional craftsmanship, cultural heritage, creativity, and decades of practical experience. Her workshops allow participants not simply to observe Ebru, but to experience the fascinating process of painting on water and transferring a unique composition onto different surfaces. Workshop Areas Traditional Turkish Ebru – Marbling Art Ebru for Beginners Painting on Water Ebru on Paper & Fabric Ebru on Silk Ebru on Ceramics Ebru on Glass, Wood & Canvas Traditional Turkish Decorative Motifs Anatolian Motifs & Cultural Symbols Hand Embroidery Decorative Arts Traditional Handcrafts Art & Creative Expression Ottoman Mosaic Lamp Making Cultural Heritage Workshops Creative Workshops for Educators Learning Traditional Arts Through Experience Her workshops provide participants with more than an introduction to an artistic technique. Through Ebru, they discover the relationship between water, colour, movement, patience, creativity, and cultural heritage. Since every movement on the surface of the water produces a different result, each participant creates a completely unique work. For international educators, Naile’s workshops also offer an opportunity to explore how traditional arts can be used within education to encourage creativity, concentration, cultural awareness, intercultural dialogue, and learning by doing. Today, she continues to welcome local and international visitors to her atmospheric workshop in Uçhisar, where she demonstrates Ebru in English, conducts workshops, and passes her knowledge to new generations. Her mission is not simply to produce Ebru artworks, but to ensure that this traditional art continues to be experienced, taught, and carried into the future. Teaching Approach “Ebru is the art of creating on water. You cannot completely control the water; you learn to work with it. Every colour, every movement and every pattern becomes unique. By teaching Ebru, I hope not only to share a technique, but also to pass a living part of our cultural heritage to future generations.”
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