Eser Bilgeman

Born in Istanbul, Eser Bilgeman began her studies with Rana Erksan at the age of five. In 1977, she became a student of Prof. Meral Yapali at the then Istanbul Municipal Conservatory – now Istanbul University State Conservatory. Eser Bilgeman, who is also an alumnus of the Istanbul German High School, has completed her Bachelors, Masters and Doctoral degrees with Honours at the Istanbul University State Conservatory. Whilst continuing her studies, she participated in masterclasses of renowned pianists such as Dimitri Baschkirov, Hans Leygraf, Vitaly Margulis, Mikhail Voskerzenski, Idil Biret, Sergei Dorensky and Hüseyin Sermet.
She was awarded a scholarship by the British Council to study with Professor Irina Zaritzkaya in London, following her second prize at the Young Musician of the Year Competition in 1994.
Bilgeman received the second prize at the Jugend Musiziert (Young Musician) Competition held in Istanbul in 1986 and won first prize in the same competition held in Greece in 1988.
In 1997, she was invited to Athens to perform the compositions of Turkish composer Yuksel Koptagel. This concert, featuring compositions by varios international composers, was later recorded on a CD. The pianist has performed as a soloist with orchestras, in recitals and chamber music concerts and in numerous cities including Istanbul, Ankara, Bursa, Denizli, Mersin, Edirne, Eskisehir, Thessalonica, Athens, Nürnberg, Kyrenia, Berlin, Iasi and participated in many radio and television programmes.
Bilgeman has been frequently invited to be a member of the Jury at prestigious piano competitions. These include: Vedat Kosal National Piano Competition (2015), International Pera Piano Competition (2015 to 2026) (11th-20th editions) (Jury member & masterclasses), Ohrid Pearls International Piano Competition in Macedonia ( 2016 and 2024 ), International Viva Piano Competition, held in Sophia (2017 and 2024), 4th International Piano Competition “City of Vigo” (Spain, 2020, Preselection Jury), Chopin 1st International Piano Competition for Children and Young Pianists, Istanbul (2021), 6th Akob National Chamber Music Competition, Mersin (2023), International Rhapsody Piano Competition, Adana (2019 to 2026 1st-7th editions), International Festival of Music Iasi, Romania (2024, Jury member & masterclasses), “International Robert Schumann Piano Competition Düsseldorf” Germany (2025), International Musicarte Festival& Competition (2025), Italy, 14th Poros International Piano Academy and Festival , Greece (Jury Member & Masterclasses, 2025 and 2026), Primavera Pianistica International Piano Academy (2026), Belgium (Jury Member & Masterclasses).
A dedicated educator, Eser Bilgeman is deeply committed to nurturing young pianists. Her students have been prize winners, laureates and finalists in both national and international piano competitions.
Since 1990, she has been a faculty member at the Istanbul University State Conservatory where she was appointed as a Professor in 2007. She served as Head of the Piano Department from 2009 to 2024.
While continuing to mentor the next generation of pianists, she also performs in recitals, chamber music concerts and as soloist in orchestral concerts.