They couldn't find a stage in Turkey, but were applauded in the US.

The founders of Turkey's first hearing‑impairment music group Moon Deaf Music, Nilay Tüter and Ali Yıldız, found themselves confronted with a striking picture in their musical journey. The two musicians said they had not found a stage to perform concerts in Turkey, but had seized many opportunities to give concerts and meet audiences in the United States.

They Pursued Music Despite Hearing Impairments

Guitarist Nilay Tüter and drummer Ali Yıldız founded Moon Deaf Music in 2024 to demonstrate that hearing impairments pose no obstacle to making music.

The duo, who began their work as Turkey's first hearing‑impairment music group, brings the rhythm of music to the stage by feeling it in different ways. Tüter and Yıldız aim not only to reach listeners with their music but also to show that hearing‑impairment individuals can exist in every field of art.

However, according to the musicians, the group's attempts to perform on stage in Turkey have so far been fruitless.

They Performed on Stage in the United States

Musicians said they have made many attempts to hold concerts in Turkey, but have not received sufficient support, whereas in the United States they encountered a different picture.

Moon Deaf Music, which has seized the opportunity to give mini concerts in various countries, especially the United States, has taken the stage many times in America. The group members said they have received concert invitations from the United States but have not yet been able to perform in their own country.

Guitarist Nilay Tüter described the situation, saying, 'We have performed concerts many times in America. We are not valued at all in Turkey, but we are valued in America. We have never performed concerts in Turkey.'

He Got Close to Music at 12.

Having lost his hearing at just five months old due to a high fever, Nilay Tüter now lives his life with hearing aids. Tüter, who said he cannot hear without a hearing aid, said he has adapted to this condition over time.

Tüter, who said his interest in music dates back to his childhood, said he began to engage more closely with music at 12 and later decided to learn guitar. Discovering his musical talent through a guitar course, Tüter's path later crossed with Ali Yıldız, and Moon Deaf Music emerged.

“Music was a tool for holding onto life.”

Ali Yıldız, presented as Turkey's first hearing‑impairment drummer, has been playing drums and percussion since about age 20.

Despite the challenges he faced in his education, Yıldız completed his studies and then began working in the banking sector. He described the place of music in his life with the words, 'Music was a tool for holding onto life for me.'

Yıldız said that with Moon Deaf Music they want to set an example for other hearing‑impairment individuals, noting that they have been invited to concerts in the U.S. but have not been able to seize the same opportunity in Turkey.

Their goal: Touring Turkey city by city

Moon Deaf Music's next goal is to reach more people in Turkey. Tüter and Yıldız want to give concerts while touring city by city and increase the visibility of hearing‑impairment individuals in the arts.

The duo's plans are not limited to concerts alone. Musicians who want to expand the group aim to contribute to the training of new musicians by providing music education to hearing‑impaired and other disabled individuals in the future.

Moon Deaf Music members, who view music as a way to overcome prejudices, are calling for more support and stage opportunities for hearing‑impaired people in Turkey to make music.