Palestinian artist Simon Shaheen excels on the oud and violin, stunning audiences as he passes easily from traditional Arab sounds to Jazz and classical Western styles. His searing technique, melodic ingenuity and unequalled grace have earned him international fame. Among his many distinctions, Shaheen received the prestigious National Heritage Award at the White House. He is a professor of music at Berklee College of Music in Boston, and one of the most significant musicians and composers of Arab music of his generation.
Born in the village of Tarshiha in Galilee, Shaheen grew up surrounded by music. His father, Hikmat Shaheen, was a professor of music and master of the oud. Simon began to play at the age of four and began to study violin at the Haifa’s classical Western music Conservatory a year later.
Shaheen founded the Annual Arabic Music Retreat in 1997. Held each summer at Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts, this weeklong intensive program of Arabic music studies draws participants from the U.S. and abroad.
Feel free to visit Simon Shaheen’s official YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@simonshaheenofficial and seize the opportunity to see Simon live in Atlanta for a wonderful afternoon of beautiful music, supporting a great cause.
If you cannot attend but would like to support the foundation, please click here to go to the donation page.
