Burak Besir is an award-winning concert flutist, orchestral musician, world woodwind multi-instrumentalist and composer whose career spans the classical stage, cinematic recording and international live concert productions. Performing across the full flute family alongside more than 65 world woodwinds, his musical range extends from classical and orchestral repertoire to cinematic and epic scores, global musical traditions and contemporary electronic productions, bringing a refined sense of style, tone and character to every musical setting.
Born in Cyprus, Burak began his formal classical training at the Ankara State Conservatory in Türkiye before continuing his studies at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, where he earned his master’s degree as a flute soloist. In 2003, he received the UK Young Concert Artist Award, leading to performances at distinguished venues including London’s Wigmore Hall. He was also mentored by legendary flutist Sir James Galway, an important influence on his development as a solo artist.
His professional orchestral career includes positions as Principal and Second Chair Flutist with the Istanbul State Opera and Ballet Orchestra and the Borusan Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra, with extensive experience in opera, symphonic repertoire and large-scale ensemble performance.
Burak later moved to the United States and attended Berklee College of Music as a World Scholarship recipient, earning a degree in Contemporary Writing and Production. His studies expanded his work into arranging, orchestration, composition and music for visual media, adding a contemporary dimension to the classical technique and orchestral experience at the foundation of his playing.
Among his orchestral highlights, Burak performed with the Academy Orchestra in Los Angeles for the 86th Academy Awards (Oscars) Concert, in a program featuring the music of leading Oscar-nominated composers including John Williams, Alexandre Desplat and Thomas Newman. His concert career has also taken him to major stages including Boston Symphony Hall, the Kennedy Center and prominent international concert venues.
Alongside his classical and orchestral work, Burak has developed a distinctive presence in cinematic and video game music. His recording and performance credits include Netflix’s One Piece and The Witcher, Final Fantasy XV and Das Boot. As a member of the Video Game Orchestra, he performed in full-orchestra productions at major gaming events including PAX East and PAX West, as well as in The Legend of Zelda concert production at The Venetian Theatre in Las Vegas. These performances reflect his experience across symphonic repertoire, cinematic music and large-scale live productions.
As an international touring musician, Burak has performed extensively throughout Europe, North America and the Middle East. Since 2021, he has toured with legendary Persian artist Googoosh, appearing in sold-out concerts at venues including Wembley Arena, the London Palladium, Dubai’s Jubilee Stage, König-Pilsener-Arena in Oberhausen and Queen Elizabeth Hall, as well as on major stages across the United States, Canada, Europe, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. These productions have featured Burak on both flute and world woodwinds across a wide range of musical styles and large-scale touring environments.
His broader recording and live performance work includes collaborations with internationally recognized artists such as Secret Garden and KSHMR. Burak has contributed flute and world woodwinds to KSHMR’s recorded projects and has also performed with him live, including at the Hollywood Palladium.
As a recording artist, composer and arranger in his own right, Burak released the flute and piano album PASSION through Albany Records, featuring his original compositions and arrangements. The album received Global Music Awards for Best Album and Best Instrumental Solo. In 2025, he released Intense Emotions with Audio Network, an original cinematic album recorded with live orchestra.
His work as an arranger also extends to the classical concert repertoire. His flute choir arrangements of Smetana’s The Moldau and Dvořák’s American Suite were performed at the Galway Flute Convention in Switzerland, with The Moldau subsequently published. He has also presented performances, workshops and masterclasses at institutions and flute conventions across the United States.
Today, Burak’s career brings together decades of classical training, professional orchestral experience, cinematic recording, international touring and a deep connection to musical traditions from around the world. From a demanding concert flute solo to the distinctive character of an ancient woodwind, from a full symphony orchestra to a major live production, his approach is rooted in technical command, musical sensitivity and an instinctive understanding of what each performance requires.
Based in Los Angeles, Burak works internationally across film, television, video games, live performance and original music as a performer, recording artist, composer and world woodwind specialist.