At a reception in Istanbul on 27 December 2013 YMS cellist Cansin Kara (18) was awarded the Aydın Gün Encouragement Award by Bülent Eczacıbaşı, Chairman of the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (IKSV).
Dedicated to the memory of Aydın Gün (1917-2007), who was a pioneering figure in the Turkish opera scene and a founding member of the IKSV, this award, which is presented to a different musician every year, is open to instrumentalists, singers, composers, and conductors under 30 years of age.
Cansin was chosen from the many applicants by a jury which comprised Görgün Taner, General Director of the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts, Yekta Kara, Chief Director of the State Opera and Ballet, violinist Cihat Aşkın, Co-Chair of the Centre for Advanced Studies in Music, Ahmet Erenli, General Director of Borusan Culture and Arts, and Istanbul Music Festival Director Yeşim Gürer Oymak.