Check Out Kerem Seçkin’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kerem Seçkin

Kerem, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My name is Kerem Seçkin, Im a musician from İstanbul, Türkiye. I’ve been interested in music for as long as I can remember, coming from a family that really enjoys it. Some of my earliest memories are filled with listening to music, singing Turkish songs, and hitting pots and pans. I’ve always been drawn to it, though I’m not sure exactly why.
My first attempt at studying music was when I was 5 years old. By that time, my father had been showing me lots of music, and my favorite was Nirvana. This fueled a desire to play guitar. I was excited for my first lesson, but that excitement quickly faded when I found myself studying with a classical teacher who gave me weekly homework. I wanted to have fun, not practice.
I then switched to learning classical piano, thinking maybe guitar wasn’t my instrument. But again, I found myself with a teacher who took the same approach, and it felt like a repeat of my guitar experience. After that, I stopped studying music for a few years. However, my love for music was still there, and by the time I was 10, I decided to take drum lessons.
My teacher was a guitarist who also played drums, and at the end of some lessons, we’d jam together. This became a highlight of my week, and I really looked forward to it. Despite my enthusiasm, I still didn’t practice as long as I absolutely had to.
That all changed when I attended the Berklee 5-Week Program at 15. In Istanbul, I didn’t have many peers who excelled at an advanced level, but this summer program showed me what could be achieved through dedication. I made it my mission to study at Berklee.
I spent the next few years in İstanbul studying under renowned Turkish drummers like Umut Pelit and Doğaç Titiz, learning different musical styles, and practicing relentlessly. This commitment paid off, and my passion for music has only grown stronger.
Now, I’m in my final semester at Berklee, completing a double major in Jazz Composition and Performance. My time here has been incredible. I’ve learned from amazing peers and professors, including Brian Landrus, Ayn Inserto, Neal Smith, Mark Walker, Billy Kilson, Greg Hopkins, and Bob Pilkington to name a few. I’m immensely grateful for this opportunity and looking forward to the next chapters in my life.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Has it been a smooth road? Not exactly. When I look at the big picture, I can say that everything has worked out according to plan, but it certainly wasn’t an easy ride. The most challenging part of my journey so far was my time at Berklee. Although I had been studying under my mentors and practicing consistently back in Istanbul, I had never been in a formal music education program before. Adjusting to Berklee, surrounded by incredibly talented musicians from all around the world, took time. But I pushed myself beyond my limits and, as a result, I improved exponentially.
As I continued my studies, I decided to pursue a degree in Jazz Composition alongside Drum set Performance. My goal was always to understand music as a whole, not just from a drummer’s perspective. This meant stepping way out of my comfort zone and acquiring skills that were foreign to me at the time. There were certainly times when I felt like giving up, but with the guidance of my mentors at Berklee, I managed to push through.
Now, looking back, I’m grateful I chose this path. Despite the struggles, it’s been incredibly rewarding, and I’ve grown both as a musician and a person.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m primarily a drummer and composer. During my time at Berklee, I’ve had the privilege of participating in a wide range of live performances, spanning various genres and ensemble types. I’ve also contributed to several studio recordings for my peers. I’ve been fortunate to work with and write for talented musicians in ensembles ranging from small trios to big bands, and I’ve had the opportunity to lead my own bands in two recitals, one of which featured all original compositions written by me.
One of the most unique experiences of my Berklee journey was playing drum set with the Berklee Contemporary Symphony at Jordan Hall. I’ve also been a part of the Berklee Jazz Composers Workshop Big Band (JCWO) for my last two semesters. This group plays original large ensemble jazz compositions written by students in the Jazz Composition major. It’s been an incredible experience, and I’m excited for my final performance with them, which will feature the renowned alto saxophonist and composer Christine Jensen.
What sets me apart, I believe, is my dedication to the study of my craft as both a performer and a composer. I have immense respect for the pioneers of this art form, and I’ll always be in awe of the musicians who have inspired me to pursue this path. At the same time, I value my individuality. I’m putting lots of effort into nurturing my own voice as a musician and I’m very interested in creating personal works. However, I believe that this is something everyone can strive for if they desire. I’m trusting that my commitment to this path is going to reveal my uniqueness more and more as time goes on…

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I’ve learned along my journey is to trust the process and practice patience. There have been many times when I’ve put in the work and still felt impatient, wondering why I hadn’t reached my goals yet. I’ve realized that as long as we’re doing everything necessary to move forward, the key is to keep going, even when it feels like progress is slow. In my own development as a musician, I’ve had moments where it seemed like things weren’t moving fast enough, but I’ve come to understand that these moments are often the necessary buildup before a significant leap forward. Trusting that the work will pay off, even when it doesn’t feel immediate, has been a crucial part of my growth.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.keremseckin.com
• Instagram: keremseckin_
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@keremseckinmusic

Image Credits
Sinan Tökmeci
Yağmur Tamer