Music • Culture • Transmission

Singer, Percussionist & Cultural Organizer

Merve Sancak is a Montreal-based singer, percussionist, and cultural organizer whose personal journey connects the Balkans, Istanbul, and Canada.

"Today, as a Turkish-Bosnian immigrant in Canada, Merve experiences music as a space of continuity and transmission. Singing, performing, and curating cultural events allows her to keep traditions alive by sharing them and reliving them collectively."

Her musical work highlights İstanbul türküleri, alaturka songs, and traditional Turkish and Balkan repertoire, with a strong focus on vocal expression, authenticity of sound, and frame drums (bendir, daf, tef).

Alongside her artistic practice, Merve holds an academic background in Middle Eastern Studies and History. Her master's research focused on Turkish immigration in Montreal and the role of cultural spaces in community life. This lived and scholarly perspective informs her artistic and curatorial work.

Cultural Journey

Balkans

Bosnian roots and heritage.

Istanbul

Shaped by Turkish and Balkan musical traditions.

Montreal, Canada

Creating spaces for cultural transmission and community connection.

Featured

PROJECTS

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Bosphorus Blend

Bosphorus Blend is a music project dedicated to Istanbul’s urban repertoire...

Bosphorus Blend is a music project dedicated to Istanbul’s urban repertoire, featuring İstanbul türküleri, alaturka songs, and nostalgic works from Turkish musical tradition. The project explores Istanbul’s melodic and poetic richness, bridging classical and popular traditions while remaining faithful to authenticity and cultural memory. Bosphorus Blend is presented in cultural venues, cafés, and community events.

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TurkoBalkan Ensemble

TurkoBalkan Ensemble brings together Turkish and Balkan musicians to perform...

TurkoBalkan Ensemble brings together Turkish and Balkan musicians to perform traditional repertoires from their respective regions. The project emphasizes acoustic sounds, asymmetric rhythms, and modal structures characteristic of Turkish and Balkan traditions, without modern arrangements, remaining true to traditional forms and styles.

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Kahve Melodies

Kahve Melodies is a musical and cultural project inspired by the café as a space...

Kahve Melodies is a musical and cultural project inspired by the café as a space for gathering and listening. Through a repertoire of traditional Turkish, alaturka, and nostalgic songs, the project recreates the intimate atmosphere of Istanbul cafés, where music accompanies conversation, memory, and community life. This project is particularly suited to cultural cafés, libraries, and community spaces.