The 2025 Retreat faculty are master level instructors and performers. Their experience and expertise bridge global performance, academic scholarship, ground-breaking composition, and dedicated teaching.
Simon Shaheen
Artistic and Executive Director, `Ud, Bowed Strings,
Theory, Chamber Music
An acclaimed Arabic music performer, composer and educator, Shaheen tours worldwide as a soloist and with his ensembles, Qantara, and the Near Eastern Music Ensemble. His recordings (The Music of Mohamed Abd al-Wahhab, Turath, Taqasim, Saltanah, The Two Tenors and Qantara, and Blue Flame) have won him an international reputation as a leading Arab musician of his generation. A master instructor in performance and theory, Shaheen is a professor at Berklee College of Music. He conducts residencies and workshops at universities around the world. https://www.facebook.com/SimonShaheenOfficial
Dr. Issa Boulos
`Ud, Chamber Music
Dr. Boulos is an internationally award-winning composer, as well as a researcher, performer, and `ud instructor. He studied `ud, voice, and piano at an early age and went on to study composition at Columbia College in Chicago and Roosevelt University. He earned a PhD in ethnomusicology from Leiden University. He lectured at the University of Chicago for several years and served as the Head of the Qatar Music Academy. Dr. Boulos has composed music for orchestra, chamber, and film. He has written hundreds of songs and produced several albums. Currently he serves as the Director of the Community Music and Art Center at Harper College in Illinois. www.issaboulos.com
Ghada Ghanem
Voice, Chamber Music
Ghada is a voice teacher and soprano who performs classical and modern Arabic as well as classical western music styles. She has a B.A. in Law from St. Joseph University in Lebanon and a Master’s in vocal performance from Rice University. She was a 1996 semi-finalist at the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, and won an Encouragement Award from the Wagner Society. Ghada has performed widely with Simon Shaheen and the Near Eastern Music Ensemble in the US, Canada, Lebanon, and Abu Dhabi. She currently teaches voice in her studio and online, and at the Continuing Education Center at the American University in Beirut. She has several albums to her name as well as “The Land of Singing,” a book on singing basics. Ghada has transformed her village home in Saghbine, Lebanon in an artists’ residency, encouraging all artists in all disciplines to plant Art & Music in rural areas. Instagram: @ghadaghanem Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sopranoghada
Najib Shaheen
`Ud
Najib began performing `ud with his father Hikmat Shaheen orchestra in Haifa at the age of 12. After moving to the US in 1967, he played `ud with legendary vocalist Hanan in New York, and toured with her in Latin America. Najib has performed hundreds of concerts with Simon Shaheen as a core member of the Near East Music Ensemble and Qantara. He has taught`ud and Arabic Music privately throughout his performing career. In 1985, Najib founded his studio for making & restoring vintage `uds, experimenting in bringing back the authentic classical Arabic sound. Since the founding of the Retreat, Najib has been an `ud instructor and lecturer on `ud maintenance. A talented chef, he is in charge of food at the Retreat and is a key member of the operations team. www.oudman.com.
Layth Sidiq
Bowed Strings, Theory, Chamber Music
Layth Sidiq is a Grammy-nominated violinist, composer, and educator, currently the artistic director of the New York Arabic Orchestra and Artist in Residence at NYU Abu Dhabi. With an international performance career spanning renowned festivals, concert halls, and cultural institutions, he is widely recognized for his ability to bridge musical traditions and push the boundaries of traditional and contemporary Arabic music. He is featured on numerous acclaimed recordings and has performed at major international festivals, including the London Jazz Festival, Montreal Jazz Festival, WOMEX Expo, and Jazz a Viene to name a few. His debut album, Son of Tigris, premiered at the Montreal Jazz Festival in 2016. Layth’s artistry blends jazz, classical, and Arabic influences, shaped by his deep-rooted commitment to cultural dialogue through music. In 2018, he became the first Arab finalist at the Seifert International Jazz Violin Competition, earning second place, and was named ‘Best International Artist’ at the 2020 Boston Music Awards. He also directs the Center for Arabic Culture’s Youth Orchestra Program in Boston and collaborates regularly with Carnegie Hall’s educational programs. Driven by the belief that music is a powerful tool for social change, Layth has led educational and cultural initiatives across the Arab world. He has worked with organizations such as Action for Hope, the Kayany Foundation, and UNESCO to offer workshops, develop music education programs, and support concert programming in Iraq, Lebanon, and Jordan. His ongoing efforts aim to empower young musicians and strengthen Arabic music education across the region. Most recently, Layth was the lead vocalist and violinist for Assassin’s Creed: Mirage (2023), a major video game release set in his birthplace, Baghdad www.laythsidiqmusic.com
Michael Ibrahim
`Ud, Nay, Oboe, Wind Instruments, Chamber Music
Michael Ibrahim is a multi-instrumental performer on Arabic wind instruments such as nay and mizmar, as well as `ud. The founder and artistic director of the Detroit-based National Arab Orchestra, he is a dynamic conductor and a recognized innovator in the Arab music circuit. In addition to performing and conducting, Michael teaches, leads ensembles, and lectures on Arab music, privately and in the classroom, at university and grade school levels. https://araborchestra.org/meet-the-team/
Wanees Zarour
Buzuq,`Ud, Chamber Music
Born in Ramallah, Wanees has a Master’s Degree in Jazz Composition from DePaul University. A composer, educator and performer, Wanees trained in both Western and Middle Eastern musical traditions, He holds master classes, residencies and lectures at universities and educational institutions around the United States. In addition to directing the Middle East Music Ensemble at the University of Chicago, Wanees leads and composes for the Wanees Zarour Ensemble and East Loop, and co-directs the Chicago Immigrant Orchestra with guitarist Fareed Haque. He has been featured in major festivals in the United States, Europe and the Middle East. His newest album “Quarter to Midnight” features his compositions anchored in the maqam system and highlighting several Western and South American influences, as well as releases with East Loop, blending Maqam and Black-American music traditions. https://waneeszarour.com/
Naseem Alatrash
Cello, Bass, Chamber Music
Naseem is a Grammy-nominated cellist, composer/educator. After studying at the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music, Alatrash was awarded a full scholarship to attend Berklee. He went on to achieve the highest honors for his cello performance. At Berklee, he studied with Eugene Friesen, Owen Young, Rob Thomas, and Simon Shaheen. He holds a Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Post-Master’s degree from Berklee. Currently touring as a soloist, Alatrash is also a member of multiple ensembles including the Global Messengers, and the Turtle Island Quartet. He has appeared a many international festivals including the Newport Jazz Festival, Monterey Jazz Festival, Lebanon’s Beiteddine Festival and Jordan’s Jerash Festival. Naseem is assistant professor of Cello and ensembles at Berklee College of Music. He also leads the Arab Music Ensemble at Tufts University, and directs the Global Folk Traditions Ensemble at Boston’s Longy School of Music. https://www.alatrashmusic.com/
Firas Zreik
Qanun, Chamber Music
Born in Haifa, Firas is a graduate of Berklee College of Music, with bachelor’s degrees in Performance and Jazz Composition. He has performed and recorded with master musicians such as Simon Shaheen, Bassam Saba, Roger Waters, Shankar Mahadevan, and many more. He has performed in the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East in such venues as Boston Symphony Hall, Lincoln Center, the Carthage International Festival in Tunisia, and the Smithsonian Museum. He collaborates with his mother, leading Palestinian singer Amal Murkus, as composer and musical director. He teaches privately and presents workshops on-line. Photo credit: Louise Bichan https://www.firaszreik.com
Rami Abuolaya
Nay
Rami is a Boston-based musician born and raised in Palestine, where he studied Arabic music at Al Kamandjati Music School, and later became an instructor in nay and flute. Rami has shared the stage with world-class musicians such as Titi Robin, Ramzi Aburedwan, Faraj Sulieman, and Ghalia Ben Ali. He has participated in renowned music festivals such as Eid Al Musica Festival and The Humanity Festival of Paris. Rami has made multiple television appearances on Palestine TV and performed on international tours in France, Germany, Belgium, Jordan, and more. Current musical activities include performances with local artists and music organizations such as Shelter Music Boston, Worcester Chamber Music Society, Center for Arabic Culture, Al Faris Foundation, and the Bethlehem Foundation. He also appears in concert with Simon Shaheen and area ensembles such as Boston’s Souq El Jum3a.
Dr. Iman Roushdy Hammady
Arabic Diction for Vocalists
Iman has an extensive knowledge of Arabic Literature and film, and gave lectures and wrote academic articles on the subject. She earned her PhD in Medical Anthropology and Middle Eastern Studies from Harvard University. She taught Arabic language, diction, literature and film, and established Arabic Film Festivals and Series at Harvard University, MA, Drexel University and UPenn, PA, Emory University, GA, and the Arabic Music Retreat. In addition, she was the consultant and director of the Arabic Language Program of the School District of Philadelphia. Supported by Federal funding, she established a comprehensive linguistic and cultural program for the district, which included Arabic drama, music and film. Iman is versed in Classical and Modern Standard Arabic, in addition to a number of Arabic dialects and other foreign languages, and performs multi-lingual (simultaneous) translations, film subtitles, and script adaptations. Iman is a native speaker of Arabic, and was born in Cairo/Egypt.
Tareq Rantisi
Percussion
Tareq Rantisi is a Grammy-nominated world percussionist, educator, and cultural leader whose artistry transcends borders. Deeply rooted in Arabic music, Tareq’s dynamic soundscape weaves influences from Jazz, Afro-Cuban, Indian, West African, and Brazilian traditions. A self-taught virtuoso, his musical journey began amidst the vibrant communities of Palestinian refugee camps and centers in the West Bank and Jerusalem, where he both performed and taught music, embodying his belief in the transformative power of the arts. He joined other educators in 2011 to found the Edward Said Conservatory in Gaza. His academic pursuits led him to Berklee College of Music, where he earned a B.A. in Performance and a Master’s from the Berklee Global Jazz Institute. While at Berklee, he expanded his community engagement, performing in schools, prisons, and hospitals, affirming his commitment to accessible cultural expression. Tareq has performed and recorded with luminaries such as Luciana Souza, Aaron Goldberg, Simon Shaheen, Danilo Perez, Jon Batiste, and Daniel Schnyder. His debut album, A’hajeez (Jafra Productions, 2024), showcases his deep study of Arab Gulf percussion traditions, reflecting his continuous exploration of folk music landscapes. As the director of Access Culture, a nonprofit dedicated to fostering cultural belonging and environmental appreciation, Tareq spearheads the “World Music Concert Series.” This initiative transforms underutilized public spaces in Greater Boston into vibrant cultural venues through free outdoor performances. Additionally, Tareq shares his expertise through master classes and workshops at prestigious institutions like Boston College, Brandeis University, the London Jazz Festival, and the Panama Jazz Festival. He currently serves as an Affiliated Artist at MIT and the Emerson-Harris Program, nurturing the next generation of global musicians. www.tareqrantisi.com
Karim Nagi
Percussion
Karim is an Egyptian percussionist and teaching artist based in Chicago. He has authored several instructional videos for Arab percussion rhythms and instruments, and leads percussion workshops worldwide. His 2022 album “Huzam” features his original compositions. He is the producer of 19 annual sessions of the Arab Dance Seminar, and is currently on the Board of Directors of Chamber Music America. He combines his musical performance with public speaking on diversity and cultural advocacy, which can be seen in his latest TEDx Talk “The Tambourine, My Partner in Diplomacy and Disruption”. https://www.karimnagi.com
Staff:
Kay Hardy Campbell
Administrative Director
Kay has served as the Retreat’s Administrative Director since co-founding the Retreat in 1997. An author, freelance writer, and long-time student of Arabic language and music, Kay has an MBA as well as BA and MA in Arabic and Middle Eastern studies. A former resident of Saudi Arabia, she has two novels, and also researches and writes about the music and folk dance of the Arabian Peninsula. She plays violin and `ud. www.kayhardycampbell.com
Patricia Auch
Staff
A former elementary school teacher, Patricia’s career in Arabic dance spans forty years. She has traveled nationally and internationally to study with master teachers and she was a founding member of Cassandra Shore’s acclaimed Jawaahir Dance Company. She currently dances and teaches in Seattle, where she also presents educational programs to students and community groups about Arabic music, dance, and culture. She is a rostered teaching artist with The Creative Advantage – Seattle as well as King County’s 4 Culture. www.zulaika.net