Clarinetist and composer Kıvanç Fındıklı began his music education at the Trakya University State Conservatory in the clarinet class of Oktay Bağırov. He won third prize at the Mimar Sinan Rotary Club Young Musicians Competition in 1999, second prize at the 7th International Young Musicians Competition held in Dobrich and Albena, Bulgaria, in 2002, and first prize at the International Young Musicians Competition in Sofia in 2005. That same year, he won the audition for the Mediterranean Youth Orchestra, earning a place on its international concert tour. In November 2007, he performed S. Prokofiev's "Overture on Hebrew Themes" alongside İdil Biret and the Boğaziçi Quartet at the Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall.
Throughout his career, Fındıklı has performed with the Cemal Reşit Rey Symphony Orchestra, Bursa Regional State Symphony Orchestra, Istanbul State Opera and Ballet, Antalya State Symphony Orchestra, Şişli Municipality Symphony Orchestra, and Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra, taking part in major world premieres within the contemporary Turkish music repertoire. In 2024, he premiered Yunus Gencer's Clarinet Concerto accompanied by the Gedik Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as Mithatcan Öcal's "Harman Sokak III" with Orkestra Akademik Başkent. In 2026, he performed the world premiere of Evrim Demirel's "Concertino" for clarinet and double bass. Additionally, in 2026, he composed a musical drama adaptation of Sabahattin Ali's timeless work "Madonna in a Fur Coat", which received critical acclaim upon its debut.
Since 2009, Kıvanç Fındıklı has served as the Principal Clarinetist of the Samsun State Opera and Ballet Orchestra. Concurrently, he holds the position of Principal Clarinetist with the Gedik Philharmonic Orchestra and continues his artistic endeavors as a member of both Hezarfen Ensemble and the Anadolu Wind Quintet (Anadolu Nefesli Beşlisi).
