Emirhan Tunca

Award-winning cellist Emirhan Tunca, a member of the Manhattan School of Music Precollege Cello and Chamber Music faculty, made his orchestra debut as a soloist with the Istanbul Symphony at the age of 11. Born in Istanbul, Turkey, into a family of musicians, Emirhan began studying the cello at the age of 7 at Istanbul Conservatory, where he received his Bachelor of Music degree. He was accepted into the studio of Marion Feldman at NYU’s Steinhardt School, where he received both his Master’s degree and Artist Diploma in cello performance. He went on to study at Manhattan School of Music and completed a Professional Studies Certificate in cello performance.

Since his debut at age 11, Emirhan Tunca has appeared in numerous concerts and recitals in the United States and Europe, as well as national and international competitions. He made his Carnegie Hall debut in May 2012, performing Lalo’s Cello Concerto. After his first appearance at Carnegie Hall, he was invited back to perform Elgar’s Cello Concerto as a soloist with the NY Sinfonietta. He was awarded first prize at the 2004 International Young Virtuosos Competition in Bulgaria, the 2007 International Young Musicians Competition in Italy, the 2009 International Young Musicians Cello Competition in Turkey, the 2012 Associated Music Teachers League Competition in New York, the 2013 NYU Steinhardt Concerto Competition in New York, and the 2015 NY Concerti Sinfonietta International Shining Stars Competition in New York, among other honors.

Manhattan School of Music Precollege chamber groups under Emirhan Tunca’s tutelage have performed at Carnegie Hall and received many awards, including the American Prize and first prize in Manhattan School of Music Precollege’s 2018 and 2019 Chamber Music Competition. In July 2018, one of his chamber groups was featured on WQXR, New York’s Classical Music Radio Channel.

Emirhan Tunca has also had the honor to work with many of the most eminent cellists of our time, including Marion Feldman, Yo-Yo Ma, Maria Kliegel, Claus Kanngiesser, Peter Bruns, Jens Peter Maintz, László Fenyö, Antonio Meneses, Wolfgang Boettcher, and Alexander Rudin. His cello, named “Istanbul,” was made in 1998 by his luthier mother, Vahide Tunca.

Manhattan School of Music Precollege Faculty since 2017.