Sedef Şeker shares Turkish identity, culture through music, film at Tufts

At Tufts Takht's seasonal show, senior Sedef Şeker sang “Düğün Dernek,” a folk song from the Turkish indie rock band Pinhani. “Düğün Dernek” is one of the Arabic Music Ensemble’s signature pieces, and Şeker has been performing it ever since she joined the group her sophomore year. Performing the song for the last time was an affecting experience for Şeker -- it was her farewell to the ensemble.

“In our last show, we sang the same songs in three different languages," she said. "Even though most of us are from different countries and cultures, we truly created a shared community in the ensemble. It will be difficult for me to let go what I call family for three years. The Arabic Music Ensemble has been the pinnacle of my Tufts experience.”

Double majoring in economics and English and minoring in music, Şeker is the kind of student whose divergent interests span the arts, sciences and humanities. A musician, a film enthusiast and a writer, Şeker has spent the past four years mastering different artistic mediums. In addition to the Arabic Music Ensemble, Şeker is a member of Tufts Jazz Choir. She is also a volunteer for Boston Turkish Film and Music Festival and currently interns at Women in Film and Video New England. Her past experiences include an internship at Filmmakers Collaborative, a Boston-area association of non-profit documentary filmmakers, and a columnist position at the now defunct, Istanbul-based Internet radio and blog Radiorgasm.

“I’ve always been interested in music, film and other media of art," she said. "I got accepted to Berklee College of Music but decided to go to Tufts since I wanted a more academic college experience. This does not mean I value art any less. I try to join as many clubs and choirs as I can.”

Şeker also explained that Turkish identity has influenced her art.

“Even though it is called Tufts Takht, [the] Arabic [Music] Ensemble, we sing many songs from different geographies in Middle East," she said. "I love being able to sing songs from my country and language. In a sense, I am promoting my culture to those who are not familiar with it. Volunteering for the Boston Turkish Film and Music Festival more or less allows me to do the same thing.”

Şeker recently got accepted to a teaching job in Brighton, Mass. She will spend next year teaching at a middle school, in addition to preparing her application for graduate schools.

“My plan is to do a five-year English Ph.D. program somewhere near Boston," Şeker said. "I eventually want a career in which I can combine my passion for arts with academia. Tufts professors, particularly Lee Edelman, truly changed my outlook on art. I aspire to be them.”