Born in İzmir in 2009, Defne Erkan began studying the horn at an early age. She describes her musical approach as follows, ‘Music is like gazing at a sky full of stars; every time I step on stage, I feel like one of those stars. All that remains is my horn and me. And in that moment, I shine,’ bringing together technical proficiency and a strong affinity for performance.

Demonstrating outstanding achievement in her education, Erkan began her studies in 2019 at the Dokuz Eylül University State Conservatory, within the Wind and Percussion Instruments Division, Horn Department, with Ata Semih Atışeri. Since 2022, she has continued her studies with R. Berkay Şen. In 2025, she advanced to the 12th grade by successfully passing a grade-skipping examination, distinguishing herself with her academic discipline. In June 2025, in line with her international career goals, she was admitted at the age of 16 – two years ahead of schedule – to the Robert Schumann Hochschule Düsseldorf, one of Germany’s leading music institutions, based on her artistic merit. She continues her studies in the bachelor’s programme in Music (Orchestral Instruments – Horn), in the class of Prof. Mahir Kalmik.

Defne Erkan has performed with numerous prominent ensembles both nationally and internationally. Having won the ‘Young Soloist’ auditions organised by the İzmir State Symphony Orchestra (İZDSO) she appeared as a soloist with the orchestra on 15 May 2026. Among her notable orchestral experiences are performances with the RSH Düsseldorf Symphony Orchestra at venues such as the Tonhalle Düsseldorf and the Historische Stadthalle Wuppertal, where she performed as second horn in a repertoire ranging from Brahms’s Symphony No. 4 to Mahler. She also performed as second horn in Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8 with the İzmir State Symphony Orchestra, and held first, third, and fourth horn positions with ensembles including the International Bremen Youth Symphony Orchestra (IYSO), Olten Philharmonic Orchestra, Doğuş Children’s Symphony Orchestra, and Narlıdere Children’s Symphony Orchestra, working under distinguished conductors such as Martin Lenz, Jurjen Hempel, and Rengim Gökmen.

Committed to her technical development, Erkan has participated in masterclasses with leading figures of the horn world, including Radek Baborák, Prof. Zoltán Szöke, Prof. Paul van Zelm, Prof. Přemysl Vojta, Prof. Matthias Riess, and Prof. Ozan Çakar. She has also taken part in international programmes and camps such as Hornmeeting in Slovenia and the Landesmusikakademie in Heek, Germany.