Merve Tokar is a talented sound designer and musician who has a passion for music that can be traced back to her childhood. Her journey in the music industry began in Istanbul, Turkey, where she was classically trained as a violinist and pianist at a young age, and performed in various concerts and orchestras. Film music inspired her to pursue her dream of post-production sound, which led her to San Francisco to attend the Academy of Art University's Music Production and Sound Design Master's program.
From a young age, Merve Tokar was drawn to the world of music. At just nine years old, she started taking piano lessons and later added the violin to her musical repertoire while in secondary school. Her talent and passion led her to the Istanbul Technical University State Conservatory, where she honed her skills under the tutelage of renowned violinist and conductor, Dr. A. Hakan Sensoy, and Prof. Dr. A. Cihat Askin. Merve also attended masterclasses, including one with Romanian-born Israeli-British violinist Ani Schnarch in Dubrovnik, Croatia, along with other violinists such as Prof.Dr. Sevil ULUCAN VEİNSTEİN, Şenol AYDIN, Dr. A. Hakan Sensoy and Prof. Dr. A. Cihat Askin.
Merve's musical gifts have earned her numerous performance opportunities, both as a solo artist and as part of orchestras. She was the concertmaster at the SGK-Bridges Festival in Thessaloniki, Greece, and has appeared as a violinist in music videos by popular Turkish artists Ece Mumay and Meryem Zengin. In addition to her musical pursuits, Merve has dedicated over 15 years to music education, sharing her knowledge and skills with the next generation of musicians. Her students have received certificates from the Royal Academy of Music, attesting to her success as a teacher.
Merve's musical accomplishments also extend to her role as a co-founding member of the EVA String Quartet. This all-female string quartet performs both classical and Turkish music arrangements and was formed with the goal of inspiring others while bridging the gender gap in the industry. The quartet has played at numerous concerts and was even featured in an advertisement for the well-known food company, Banvit. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the EVA String Quartet continues to make music, with Merve serving as both a violinist and arranger.
Merve Tokar's passion for music and film has led her on an exciting journey in the industry, and she has truly made a name for herself as a talented sound designer and musician.
Through classical violin and piano training and extensive experience as a performer and teacher, she has gained a unique understanding of the role that music plays in the visual arts.
Merve Tokar's journey as a sound designer took off in 2020 when she was admitted to the highly selective Academy of Art University in San Francisco to attend the Sound Designer Master program. Upon graduation, she quickly established herself as a sought-after professional in the industry, with her technical skills, artistic vision, and musical background allowing her to create soundscapes that are both captivating and emotionally resonant.
During that time, Merve honed her skills further by interning at the Women's Audio Mission, where she gained experience invirtual/in-person events, conferences, performances / studio recording sessions, coordinating Zoom sessions for remote classes, and supporting the WAM instructors in teaching beat-making, podcasting, and sound for film. Her involvement with the Women’s Audio Mission led her to work at the Outside Lands Music Festival for 2 consecutive years. In 2021, the festival featured artists such as Nelly, Lizzo, Vampire Weekend, Tame Impala, and Rufus Du Sol, and in 2022, names like Jack Harlow, Weezer, and Post Malone performed. Those experiences were crucial for Merve to develop her abilities in various settings.
She then joined the podcast and winners of The American Prize for Chamber Music Performance in 2021 contemporary chamber music group Ensemble for These Times (E4TT) : Grammy-winning soprano Nanette McGuinness, cellist Abigail Monroe, pianist Margaret Halbig, and composer, co-founder, and Senior Artistic Advisor David Garner. Together, they showcased the creativity of BIPOC and women creative artists, including composers Dawn Norfleet and Juhi Bansal. With her deep understanding of the technical aspects of sound production, her creativity and attention to details, Merve has been a valuable asset to the weekly show, with a constant goal to always create a soundscape that fully supports the narrative and enhances the overall experience.
Since then, Merve Tokar has been heavily involved in a variety of projects. As a Subjective Test Listener at Dolby Laboratories, she utilizes her skills to assess and provide insights on audio tracks. Furthermore, in January 2023, she began working alongside renowned composers scoring music for films, getting to know seasoned composers and collaborating with leaders in the film industry.
For Merve Tokar, the objective remains constant, whether she is working on a film, video game, or advertisement: to craft a soundscape that fully reinforces the narrative and elevates the overall experience. Her dedication to creating dynamic and impactful sound designs has made her a sought-after professional in the industry. Her combination of technical proficiency and artistic vision, coupled with her musical background, has allowed her to craft soundscapes that are both captivating and emotionally powerful.
She was recently involved in capturing the sound for the "Buna Short Film", in addition to her work on her own videos, showcasing her journey as a music professional.
Follow and watch Merve Tokar on
Youtube, and get inspired!
