Iklim Tamkan, a native of Turkey’s Aegean coastal metropolis of Izmir, began her musical journey at the Hacettepe University Ankara State Conservatory. She then took her studies abroad—first in Vienna and later at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Graz, where she pursued programs in Piano Solo, Piano Pedagogy, and Harpsichord Solo.
Iklim has performed recitals and chamber music concerts in Italy, Poland, Switzerland, Slovenia, and Germany. Throughout her studies, she earned various awards and scholarships, receiving recognition from institutions such as the Austrian State, the International Kiwanis Club, and the Martha Debelli Foundation.
After returning to Turkey, she appeared in numerous national and international festivals. Committed to promoting harpsichord music, she has performed solo (on harpsichord, piano, and church organ) and in ensemble concerts across Turkey, particularly in Istanbul. Alongside renowned organ and harpsichord artist Márton Borsányi, she has premiered several works in Istanbul.
At international music festivals, Iklim collaborated with her dear friend, mezzo-soprano Senem Demircioglu, on the project Siirli Sarkilar (Poetic Songs), recording the album in October 2016. This project and its arrangements caught the attention of renowned pianist Fazil Say, who took on the role of producer for the duo’s album Ilk Atlas. Released by Ada Muzik in March 2017, the album was made available on all digital platforms, as well as in CD and LP formats.Tamkan personally arranged all of her subsequent recordings.
Following the release, the Iklim and Senem expanded their repertoire to include a diverse selection of works, ranging from folk songs to classical pieces, and they continue to perform together regularly.
Say also composed his Goldberg in Istanbul Op. 94 —his first-ever composition for the harpsichord — for Iklim and dedicated the composition to her. Her premiere performance of this remarkable work received high praise internationally, and it was published worldwide by Schott Music. The European premiere of the piece took place in October 2024 in Spain, during the 40th anniversary jubilee concert of the veteran harpsichordist Titus Crijnen.
Iklim also brings her artistry to the stage with Yarina Davet, Nazim Hikmet (Invitation to Tomorrow, Nazım Hikmet), a musical performance featuring actor Yetkin Dikinciler and mezzo-soprano Senem Demircioglu. This project continues to be staged both in Turkey and abroad.
Tamkan’s piano performance, paired with Ertan Tekin’s duduk, was featured in the track Zaman, used in the Turkish series Şahsiyet, which IMDb ranked as the greatest Turkish series of all time. The duo also collaborated on singles such as Vahram and Voice of Angels.
In 2025, Tamkan released Soft Reflections, a five-track solo piano album under the Garaj Müzik label. Dedicated to Oscar Peterson, this work blends the spirit of jazz with a minimalist approach, drawing significant attention.
Throughout her musical career, İklim Tamkan has not only performed classical music but also garnered notice for her interest in traditional and folk music and instruments.
Reflecting her political stance in her musical journey, she aims to bring traditional sounds to contemporary audiences in collaboration with friends from “minority” communities in her country, while also supporting human rights struggles worldwide.
In addition to her improvisations, İklim Tamkan composes music for films, documentaries, theater productions, video art, and short films. She teaches her wonderful students and strives to share the full spectrum of colors and brilliance of her unique universe with her audience through her performances.