Arabic Music Retreat

We are devastated to report that one of our leading faculty members, nay and flute virtuoso Bassam Saba, passed away on December 4, 2020 from COVID-19 complications. Bassam was a founding faculty member of the Arabic Music Retreat. His passing Read More …

Laura Shaheen, known to her family and friends as Lulu, left us and this world on August 12th, 2020. Born in Palestine to a family with a deep love of music, Lulu was the sister of Rosette Shaheen and brothers Read More …

On April 20, 2020, our lead percussion teacher, Michel Merhej, passed away from Covid-19. Mr. Merhej was a founding faculty member of the Arabic Music Retreat, and taught at every Retreat since 1997. He was a beloved member of our Read More …

Message from Simon ShaheenMay 14, 2020 Dear Arabic Music Retreat Community,                                             It is with the greatest regret that the directors, faculty, and friends of the Arabic Music Retreat have come to the unavoidable decision that we must unfortunately cancel the Read More …

Film director Tarik Benbrahim created a film featuring Simon Shaheen, his work and life in the United States. It features the Arabic Music Retreat, footage filmed at the 2018 Retreat at Mount Holyoke College. Here is a link to the Read More …