We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Leyan Senay. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Leyan below.

Leyan, appreciate you joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

Firstly I want to thank you all for sharing the memories of my journey, so happy to be here! 💙 Risk taking and having a courage to leave your ‘safe zone’ is the key of success I think… At first I wasn’t so lucky because there’s no one guiding me in my music journey, I grew with a single-mom who is a psychiatrist and not interested in arts and music. But she always supported me, and I found and created my own way. Creating my music studio with no money was my first challenge at 2016,this year was the time of my drum journey’s begun. After it, I took a big risk as being an independent drummer rather than a full time drummer for any famous band, that means I prefer to stand and create alone which is harder… And in Turkey, there were really few drummer ladies I knew before, not more than 50 and I became the Turkish ambassador of Hit like a girl and then our number suddenly increased to 400 and my journey began to give inspiration to other women, this is crazy!!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Of course, I’m Leyan Senay, 29 years old. Born in Belgium and moved to Turkey. I studied piano in high school and at University I graduated from English Literature. I’m an independent drummer, drum instructor, songwriter & the Turkish ambassador of Hit Like a girl contest. I’m trying to give inspiration and courage to young ladies to follow their dreams. I became the Ted X speaker and gain the prize of ‘the most inspirational women of 2023’. I also work as an influencer and content creator in my social media accounts. I earn my living from music as touring with various bands and orchestras, giving drum lessons and playing in albums. Also I’m making drum & rhythm workshops and touring the drum festivals worldwide! I represented Turkish culture and its odd time traditional grooves in three different countries and my first album will be released at 8 march 2024 as combining Eastern and Western music.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Firstly you have to work hard and improve yourself and your skills. Knowledge and being a good musician is a big ocean to discover. It takes time but please be patient. Learning and improving has no end, its a lifetime journey and plus this, being active on social media is another biggest power in musician’s hands. With only one click, your music can reach to someone on the other side of the world which is insane! If we can use it correctly, it can help us in our journeys…

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

My story of resilience and overcome negative things are always been arts and music since my childhood years! I find peace as creating something; a melody, a rhythm, a painting, writing a story, song etc. When I lost 2 of my relatives at 2017, I hug tightly to my drums, drums were always been my antidepresan, my other half 😇 I can say that if you believe yourself, your creativity and follow your soul, it gets easier to overcome any obstacles… Just believe and follow your heartbeats. 💙

Contact Info:

• Website: https://leyansenay.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meowthedrums?igsh=MWo4cDRyYWplZHNzOQ==
• Other: Mail: Meowthedrums@gmail.com Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meowthedrums