BAĞLAMA COURSE 2026

BAĞLAMA COURSE

We're thrilled to offer Bağlama Course at our Toronto center! Whether you're a seasoned musician or just embarking on your musical journey, this course is tailored for all backgrounds. Get ready to immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Turkish music!

In this course, you will not only learn to play the traditional Turkish string instrument Bağlama but also become acquainted with the rich Turkish heritage.

Bağlama

The Bağlama, often referred to as the "soul of Turkish music," is a traditional stringed instrument with a history dating back centuries. Its unique sound has woven through generations, telling stories of love, culture, and resilience. Learning to play the Bağlama is not just about mastering an instrument; it's about connecting with a rich musical heritage that spans continents. Join us on this captivating journey!

Burak EKMEKÇİ, the instructor

Burak discovered the baglama at the age of three. At thirteen, he commenced his formal baglama education in Istanbul. Since 2007, he has served as a baglama instructor and choir conductor in various institutions. He earned his degree from Kocaeli University State Conservatory in 2014, and completed his master’s degree at Haliç University State Conservatory in 2019. He received mentorship and advanced performance training from Cetin Akdeniz, Yucel Pasmakcı, and Mehmet Erenler. Burak has been residing in Toronto since 2019, and has been a member of the Labyrinth Ontario Ensemble since 2021. He has been conducting Bağlama courses at Toronto Yunus Emre Institute since September 2023.

COURSE SPECIFICATIONS AND REGISTRATION

• Course Level:

Although this will be a group class, the teacher will tailor instruction to individual levels and learning needs. For this reason, we welcome candidates from various musical backgrounds and levels.

• Course Dates: March 10, 2026 – June 23 , 2026

• Course Schedule: Tuesdays, 18:00 – 20:00 EST (Toronto time)

• Course Hours: 2 hours of class per week, 32 hours in total

• Venue: Toronto Yunus Emre Institute, 2 Berkeley St., Suite 210, Toronto

• Bağlama/The Instrument: You will need to obtain the instrument yourself. Our master teacher will be available to assist you in acquiring a bağlama if you do not already have one.

• Course Materials: The teacher will compile a learning pack from various sources.

• Instructor: Burak Ekmekçi. Please refer to his short resume above.

• Course Fee: CA$180.00 The fee does not include the Eventbrite processing fee. The fee is for the total course in the fall term.

• Registration: You must register for the course on Eventbrite. Candidates will be registered on a first-come, first-served basis. To avoid missing this opportunity, we advise you to register promptly.

• Age: Participants must be at least of high school age.

• Cancellation of the Course: Courses are subject to cancellation if the minimum quota (5 in this case) is not met.

• Withdrawal / Refunding: It is possible to withdraw any applications before the start of the course. In this case, the processing fees charged by Eventbrite might not be refundable. If a student wishes to withdraw their application within the first week, Eventbrite fees and an additional 20% admin fee will be deducted from the course fee paid. After the first week, no refund of the course fee will be provided. All refunds will be made to the student’s bank account.

• Registration Documents: When the course commences, Toronto Yunus Emre Institute might request you to complete additional registration forms and submit documents. The Institute will handle all documents and information confidentially in accordance with provincial and federal regulations.

PRIVATE BAĞLAMA CLASSES

This term, you can also register for private one-to-one courses with Burak Ekmekçi. The conditions for the private courses are the same, with the following exceptions:
a. The duration of the course depends on the number of hours you register for (a minimum of 5 hours is required).
b. You will coordinate with the instructor to determine the day and time of the classes.

• For further inquiries, contact us at [email protected]

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