Hande joined Crowden Music Center faculty in 2009. Originally from Istanbul, Turkey, she received her B.Mus from Istanbul University State Conservatory. During her undergraduate studies she performed with the Istanbul State Symphony and the Borusan Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra. After moving to the Bay Area she received her MFA from Mills College. Since 2001, Hande has maintained a busy private teaching studio in the East Bay. She has also held teaching positions at Archway, St. Paul's Episcopal, and Black Pine Circle School as well as San Francisco Symphony's Adventures in Music and Oakland Symphony's Music For Excellence education programs. In addition to being a passionate teacher, Hande regularly performs with the Oakland Symphony, California Symphony, and the Marin Symphony, among other groups, and enjoys jam sessions with her friends at Hot Club of San Francisco. When she is not teaching or performing, Hande spends her time hiking with her dog, working out on a heavy bag, and salsa dancing.