Atay Bağcı started his conducting journey as an assistant conductor in various youth orchestra projects in Turkey and abroad, assisting conductors like Daniel Geiss and Orhun Orhon. These experiences inspired him to pursue a Master's Degree in Conducting, which he obtained from Bilkent University under the tutelage of Assoc. Prof. Işın Metin. Bağcı's professional debut came with the Bursa State Symphony Orchestra in April 2025. He has since conducted orchestras in Turkey and Slovenia, including an appearance in the prestigious Ljubljana Festival. Among his mentors are George Pehlivanian, Marc Piollet and Martin Akerwall.

 

A native of Ankara - Turkey, Atay Bağcı studied horn with the legendary hornist Mahir Çakar and his students at Bilkent University before moving on to Graz, Austria, where he was tutored by Hector McDonald and Ozan Çakar. As a horn player he was a guest player in professional orchestras like Concentus Musicus Wien, Grazer Philharmoniker and Borusan İstanbul Philharmonic Orchestra among others. During his horn studies he participated in the projects of numerous national and international youth orchestras including the Mediterranean Youth Orchestra, Wiener Jeunesse Orchester, and the Greek-Turkish Youth Orchestra.