About Me
Hello, I’m (Zeynep) Özlem Baş, founder of Oz Productions, an international performing arts company with 30 years of experience creating cultural experiences around the world.
My professional journey began in Istanbul, where I built a strong foundation in the hospitality industry. At the Grand Hyatt Regency Istanbul, I worked as Guest Communications Manager and Training Manager, developing and delivering training across departments in guest relations, communication, complaint handling and operational excellence. This experience shaped my approach to event production and management, combining attention to detail with an understanding of audiences, clients and the people behind every step of an event.
It also marked the end of my professional career in this field.
It also marked the end of my professional career in this field.
A defining turning point came through my mentorship by Aydın Gün, the distinguished opera singer, stage director, intendant, teacher and State Artist who played a pioneering role in the development of opera in Türkiye. He founded the Istanbul City Opera, which later became the Istanbul State Opera and Ballet, and was among the founding members of the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV). He served as Artistic Director of the International Istanbul Festival for two decades and also initiated contemporary art exhibitions that paved the way for the Istanbul Biennial.
Being mentored by a figure of Aydın Gün’s stature, whose vision helped transform Türkiye’s cultural life, had a profound and lasting influence on my professional path.
Being mentored by a figure of Aydın Gün’s stature, whose vision helped transform Türkiye’s cultural life, had a profound and lasting influence on my professional path.
Under his guidance, I became Assistant Artistic Director of the International Yapı Kredi Festival, then one of the period’s leading cultural events. We presented distinguished international artists across performing arts disciplines and launched the Leyla Gencer Voice Competition, dedicated to the celebrated Turkish soprano known internationally as *La Diva Turca*.
In 1998, I formally founded Oz Productions, building on my experience in the arts, hospitality and media. Since then, I have represented and managed artists, curated and produced concerts, performances and cross-cultural projects in nearly 30 countries, at venues and festivals including the Sydney Opera House, Hong Kong Festival, Athens Festival, Singapore Esplanade, Palais des Beaux-Arts in Brussels, Philharmonie Essen, Cairo Opera House and Edinburgh Festival.
I have also served as Vice-President International of the Bangkok International Festival of Dance and Music, with which I continue to collaborate.
My work has also taken me into related fields. I have contributed to documentaries and cultural programmes as a music consultant, as well as to the cultural programming of venues and festivals. I have worked with institutions including Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall, developing programmes and reviving archival works for performance. At the request of the Concert Hall’s management, I established a symphony orchestra.
I develop programmes tailored to the venue, theme, concept and brief. One project particularly close to my heart is Songs of Love and Longing from Both Sides of the Aegean, a Turkish–Greek collaboration exploring our shared musical heritage and distinct cultural identities, which I produced and brought to the stage for its debut in Istanbul.
I also recite the poetry of Rumi, the 13th-century Sufi mystic, accompanied by Turkish Sufi music at festivals and cultural centres around the world, including the Edinburgh Festival and the Sydney Opera House. These recitations have also formed part of the opening of Whirling ceremony performances: Sufi Music with Poetry
Today, I continue to represent and manage an international portfolio of artists, develop tours and produce projects worldwide, alongside independent initiatives across music, performance and cultural exchange.
In 1998, I formally founded Oz Productions, building on my experience in the arts, hospitality and media. Since then, I have represented and managed artists, curated and produced concerts, performances and cross-cultural projects in nearly 30 countries, at venues and festivals including the Sydney Opera House, Hong Kong Festival, Athens Festival, Singapore Esplanade, Palais des Beaux-Arts in Brussels, Philharmonie Essen, Cairo Opera House and Edinburgh Festival.
I have also served as Vice-President International of the Bangkok International Festival of Dance and Music, with which I continue to collaborate.
My work has also taken me into related fields. I have contributed to documentaries and cultural programmes as a music consultant, as well as to the cultural programming of venues and festivals. I have worked with institutions including Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall, developing programmes and reviving archival works for performance. At the request of the Concert Hall’s management, I established a symphony orchestra.
I develop programmes tailored to the venue, theme, concept and brief. One project particularly close to my heart is Songs of Love and Longing from Both Sides of the Aegean, a Turkish–Greek collaboration exploring our shared musical heritage and distinct cultural identities, which I produced and brought to the stage for its debut in Istanbul.
I also recite the poetry of Rumi, the 13th-century Sufi mystic, accompanied by Turkish Sufi music at festivals and cultural centres around the world, including the Edinburgh Festival and the Sydney Opera House. These recitations have also formed part of the opening of Whirling ceremony performances: Sufi Music with Poetry
Today, I continue to represent and manage an international portfolio of artists, develop tours and produce projects worldwide, alongside independent initiatives across music, performance and cultural exchange.
Oz Productions operates internationally from London. You may find me in another corner of the world, presenting a project, meeting artists and partners, or exploring new places and ideas that might lead to future collaborations.
I welcome opportunities to develop inspiring projects and create cultural experiences with artists, institutions, festivals and presenters.
Please get in touch to discuss potential collaborations.
I welcome opportunities to develop inspiring projects and create cultural experiences with artists, institutions, festivals and presenters.
Please get in touch to discuss potential collaborations.
