The results of the contest, which 30 young talents have competed, have been announced at the ceremony held at Consulate General of Germany. Hale Soner has been ranked as first at the contest, Tülay Uyar as the second and Çiğdem Öykü Şensöz is the third runner up, besides Simge Büyükedes has taken the honourable mention award.

The winner of the first rank Hale Soner has received one year scholarship in Karlsruhe Opera and four months scholarship of German Language Education in Goethe Institute Istanbul, the winner of the second rank Tülay Uyar won six weeks summer scholarship in Salzburg Mozarteum Music Academy and two months German Language Education in Goethe Institute Istanbul and the winner of the third rank Çiğdem Öykü Şensöz has taken 2000 € and also Simge Büyükedes has received 1000 € as honourable mention award.

The evaluation was held in three stages; pre-screening, semi final and final. The jury members were Opera Director Associate Professor Yekta Kara, State Artist Mete Uğur, General Art Director of Dresden Opera Prof. Gerd Uecker, General Art Director of Karlsruhe Opera Achim Thorwald, representative of Siemens Özen İncecik.

Siemens CEO Dr. Zafer Incecik, at the award ceremony, said, "We successfully opened the doors of EU with our young talented sounds" and added," The young talents, proving themselves at Siemens Opera Contest, are preparing their places in Europe and in the world. It has been great pleasure for us to see the improvement of these young talents who had their educations in our conservatories within the past six years. Therefore, we are really proud of this kind of initiative. We are happy to contribute to the development of our country."

Since 1993, Siemens Art Awards have been given in different categories. Upon the keen demand of the art lovers this traditional Siemens Art Awards have also been arranged under "opera" category for the last six years.

Siemens Art, as contemporary arts centre, started its activities in January 2004, and since then it continues to support young artists by setting them new opportunities.

HALE SONER

She was born in Istanbul in 1978. She graduated from Mimar Sinan University State Conservatory Opera Main Art Department in 2003. In the same year, she started to work in Istanbul State Opera and Ballet and also in Cemal Reşit Rey Opera as a contractual solist and had some roles in the operas. She still continues her performances in these places and also has many concerts in Istanbul.

TÜLAY UYAR

She was born in Münich in 1977 and graduated from Istanbul Fine Arts High School Piano Department in 1996. The same year, she was accepted to Bilkent University Music and Performing Arts Faculty Opera Department as the first-place winner and graduated again as the first-place winner. Having worked in Vien Music Academy with the scholarship of Australia Government between the years 2001 and 2002, she has had many performances as a solist in many operas and concerts both in Turkey and abroad.

ÇİĞDEM ÖYKÜ ŞENSÖZ

She was born in Istanbul in 1978. She started her education in Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University State Conservatory Opera Department in 1998 and is still a student in the same university. She has had performances in opera and concerts both in Turkey and abroad.

SİMGE BÜYÜKEDES

She was born in Istanbul in 1981 and graduated from Computer Programming department in high school. As a result of her interest in music she decided to have her university degree in Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University State Conservatory. Having involved in many projects, she continues her education in this university.