Esmail Alkhalaf

I am Esmail Alkhalaf, known in the art world as Esmail Bnaoe. My musical journey began at an early age when I found solace in singing as a way to overcome stuttering. I am a versatile artist specializing in Ottoman classical music and Anatolian folk music as well as electronic music. My artistic endeavors reflect a harmonious blend of traditional and contemporary influences. Currently, I am in my fourth year at the Rotterdam Codarts Conservatory, where I continue my academic studies and produce creative works.

My journey in theater and music changed in 2012 when I moved to Damascus and discovered a gateway to the world of music. Due to unfortunate circumstances, I lived a refugee journey through Turkey and Greece before successfully reaching the Netherlands in 2016. From 2016 to 2019, I participated in theater groups such as De Gasten Theater and storytelling house Mezrab. At the same time, I completed the Mixology course and earned my mixologist diploma. In 2020, I switched to music studies at Codarts Academy, focusing on classical Ottoman and Anatolian folk music and composition. I also rapidly developed skills in music tools such as Ableton, focusing on producing and creating sound.