Melisa Yildirim is a kamancha (spiked fiddle) player, born in Istanbul. She started playing kamancha during high school and went on to study the instrument further at the Turkish Music Conservatory (ITÜ), under the guidance of Ferhan Yeprem. Melisa has also studied Azeri and Iranian kamancha techniques with the Iranian master Arslan Hazreti and is particularly interested in using different playing techniques for her instrument and collaborating with musicians from other fields. She recently performed at Turquazz Anatolian Jazz Festival with the London-based group, Origins.