Emirhan Tunca is widely recognized as one of today’s leading performers and educators. In addition to being a cello faculty member at NYU Steinhardt, he is also a member of the Manhattan School of Music Precollege Cello and Chamber Music faculty. Since spring 2022, Mr. Tunca has been performing with the New York City Ballet Orchestra at Lincoln Center.
Throughout his career, Mr. Tunca has appeared in numerous concerts and recitals in the United States and Europe, as well as national and international competitions. He made his Carnegie Hall debut in May 2012, performing Lalo’s Cello Concerto and Elgar’s Cello Concerto as a soloist with the New York Concerti Sinfonietta. Mr. Tunca's performances garnered praise from critics, including a glowing review in the Epoch Times, highlighting his deep and rich tone as well as applauding his virtuosity and emotional depth. Mr. Tunca has been a participant in many competitions and received first prizes at the 2004 International Young Virtuosos Competition in Bulgaria, 2007 International Young Musicians Competition in Italy, 2009 International Young Musicians Cello Competition in Turkey, 2012 Associated Music Teachers League Competition in New York, 2013 NYU Steinhardt Concerto Competition, and the 2015 New York Concerti Sinfonietta International Shining Stars Competition in New York.
As a chamber music coach, Mr. Tunca and his groups have achieved significant success, from performances at Carnegie Hall to receiving numerous awards, including the 2019 American Prize and first prizes at the Manhattan School of Music Chamber Music Competitions in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2023, and 2024. In July 2018, one of his chamber music groups was featured on WQXR, New York’s classical music radio channel.
Born into a family of musicians, Mr. Tunca began his musical education at the Istanbul Conservatory, where he earned his Bachelor of Music degree. He then continued his studies with Marion Feldman at NYU Steinhardt, where he obtained both his master’s degree and an Advanced Certificate Diploma in cello performance. Following this, he pursued further education at the Manhattan School of Music, where he completed a Professional Studies Certificate in cello performance. Mr. Tunca has also had the honor of working with many of the most eminent cellists of our time, including Marion Feldman, Yo-Yo Ma, Maria Kliegel, Claus Kanngiesser, Peter Bruns, Jens Peter Maintz, László Fenyö, Antonio Meneses, Wolfgang Boettcher, and Alexander Rudin.
His cello, named “Istanbul,” was made in 1998 by his luthier mother, Vahide Tunca.