Originating from Istanbul, Özlem Baş has built a distinctive record spanning the hotel and tourism industry, the media, and the arts.
A graduate of F.M.V. Işık Lisesi, she holds Associate of Arts degrees in Tourism and Hotel Management and in E-Commerce and Marketing from Istanbul University and Bermuda College. Baş has broad experience across the professions in which she has worked, gaining hands-on knowledge in all hotel departments.
Her final hospitality role was as Guest Communications Manager at Grand Hyatt Regency Istanbul, where she was certified as a Trainer of Trainers and delivered trainings across all departments on guest communications, guest relations, handling guest complaints, and ensuring smooth operations.
Her entry into the arts world was prompted and mentored by Aydın Gün, renowned opera singer, teacher, and founder of the State Opera and the International Istanbul Festival, the Biennale, and Yapı Kredi Festivals. She served as Assistant Artistic Director of the Yapı Kredi Festival and contributed to the organization and management of the first Leyla Gencer International Vocal Competition and the Yapı Kredi Youth Pop Music Competition.
She founded Oz Productions, a London-based performing arts and corporate entertainment agency, in 1998. Since then, she has presented concerts and shows at leading festivals and cultural centres in nearly 30 countries.
In 2001, Baş studied Media Crisis Management and Television and Radio Production at the BBC Training and Development Centre in the U.K. Her early media experience includes serving as Executive Assistant to the President of Medya Group, Turkey’s influential media conglomerate, and a stint at Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising Worldwide.
Since founding her company, she has represented a range of international artists across genres on prestigious stages and festivals worldwide, in nearly 30 countries. Venues include Singapore Esplanade, New York Town Hall, Sydney Opera House, Hong Kong Festival, Athens Festival, Cleveland Museum of Art, Prague’s Czech Parliament, Brussels Palais des Beaux-Arts, Brisbane Powerhouse, Bahrain National Museum, Essen Philharmonie, Seongnam International Dance Festival, Melbourne Festival, Edinburgh Festivals, and the Tbilisi Festival of Theatre.
Özlem also works as a music consultant for programmes and has advised on numerous documentary projects aired on ERT, the Greek national broadcaster, covering Indian and Hungarian music and profiling Hungary’s celebrated UNESCO Ambassador for Peace Márta Sebestyén for the World Musicians documentary series.
She provided consultancy to the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality during the 2018 and 2019 seasons for Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall, developing programming across diverse genres. In response to the hall management’s request for a new orchestra, Baş assembled a dedicated ensemble for the opening concert, and while preparing the program, she uncovered the original manuscripts of Cemal Reşit Rey in the archives.
She started a Turkish - Greek joint project: Songs of Love and Longing from Both Sides of the Aegean to celebrate the connection between the countries.
This unique project delves into these shared musical repertoire between the two countries, exploring pieces primarily from the 1900-1950 era as well as select works from each country's musical heritage. The project made its debut in Istanbul.
This unique project delves into these shared musical repertoire between the two countries, exploring pieces primarily from the 1900-1950 era as well as select works from each country's musical heritage. The project made its debut in Istanbul.
She recites English-language renditions of Rumi’s poetry on stage, accompanied by Turkish Sufi music, at international venues, including the Hellenic Festival in Athens, the Sydney Opera House, the Hong Kong Festival, and the Edinburgh Festival. Sufi Music with Poetry
Celebrating 27 years in performing arts, she currently manages a portfolio of international artists across genres. In addition to her own portfolio, she runs several independent projects and tours worldwide.
