Dutch-Turkish artist discovered singing at family restaurant gains fame in the Netherlands

ANTALYA – DHA

Karsu Dönmez, a Dutch-born Turkish artist who gained fame after being discovered at her family’s restaurant in the Netherlands, is now a popular singer in the country. 

Performing at an event organized for children in the southern province of Antalya, Dönmez told Doğan News Agency that she initially dreamt of becoming either a psychologist or an athlete, but changed her mind after she channeled her love for music by playing the piano. 

“I improved myself by receiving music education. I took the stage in a world famous show center in New York when I was 16 and I began receiving various awards. My life suddenly changed. I started with classical music and then mixed them with the other ones. I am working with musicians from many countries,” she said. 

Born in 1990, Dönmez is the daughter of a family who immigrated to the Netherlands in 1970 from the southern province of Hatay’s Karsu village, which she was named after by her family.  

She was introduced to music at the age of seven with a piano at her family’s restaurant. While working at the restaurant, Dönmez also began making music. The Dutch-Turkish artist is now an appreciated singer in the country. 

Taking stage at her family’s restaurant every night, Dönmez was recognized by Mercedes Stalenhoef, an award-winning young documentary maker, when she was 16. By then, she already had many fans. 

Stalenhoef was impressed by Dönmez’s performance and the songs she sang. She filmed Dönmez’s success in music in a documentary film. 

Dönmez has so far produced three albums and performed concerts in 20 countries.