Born in Ankara, Elçim Özdemir discovered the viola in her home town, where she began her musical apprenticeship. From the outset, she was deeply fascinated by the instrument's unique sound, both dark and powerful, which quickly led her to choose the viola as her vocation. She went on to perfect her skills at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Lyon, where she joined the renowned class of Tasso Adamopoulos.

For this musician, the viola occupies a central place, both in the orchestra and in her musical universe. Placed at the geographical heart of the ensemble, the instrument plays a fundamental role: less prominent than other sections, it builds harmonic bridges between the different registers and adds a singular depth to the orchestral texture.

A member of various chamber music ensembles, she performs at many prestigious festivals and regularly shares the stage as a soloist in international concerts, some of which are broadcast on radio and television.

Keen to pass on her knowledge and train the next generation of violists, Elçim Özdemir has taught at renowned institutions such as the Conservatoire national supérieur de musique et de danse de Lyon and the Haute école de musique in Geneva and Lausanne.

Committed to projects combining music and solidarity, she co-founded, with Marco Nirta, the ‘Music for Hope’ initiative, the aim of which is to create a link between volunteer musicians and musicians from other countries.

Elçim Özdemir plays a 1755 Carlo Ferdinand Landolfi.