Nilay Özaydın

She began her ballet journey at the age of 5 at Private Dilek Ballet Course. After graduating in 1985, she entered Istanbul State Conservatory upon the recommendation of Cem Ertekin. During this period, she also danced with the Contemporary Ballet Company.

In 1989, she joined Istanbul State Opera and Ballet, where she continues to serve as a full-time ballet artist. Throughout her professional ballet career, she has worked with many world-renowned choreographers and dancers.

Among the choreographers she has worked with are Derek Deane, Youri Vámos, Alfred Rodrigues, Yuri Grigorovich, former Director of the Bolshoi Ballet, Mehmet Balkan, Oytun Turfanda, Selçuk Borak, and Aysun Aslan.

Her repertoire includes The Nutcracker, The Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Leyla and Mecnun, Romeo and Juliet, Emrah and Selvihan, Spartacus, Don Quixote, Niçin!, Hayal Yolcuları, İlişkiler, Coppélia, Çeşmebaşı, Paquita, Giselle, La Bayadère, and Les Sylphides.

She currently teaches ballet at Private Nilay Ballet Course.