Master Class with Simon Shaheen
Violin and oud virtuoso and composer

Preceding his performance at Koerner Hall on the evening of Friday, June 1, violin virtuoso, Simon Shaheen will lead a public master class at Beit Zatoun.  The Master Class is freely offered to the Toronto community.  Musicians and non-musicians are equally welcomed.

About Simon Shaheen
One of the most significant Palestinian and middle eastern musicians, performers, and composers of his generation, virtuoso oud and violin player Simon Shaheen deftly leaps from traditional Arabic sounds to jazz and Western classical styles with soaring technique, melodic ingenuity, and unparalleled grace.

Born in Tarshiha, a Palestinian town in the Galilee inside of Israel, into a musical family of instructors, instrument-makers, players and singers. He studied inside Israel attending Tel Aviv University, earning degrees in Arabic literature and music performance. In 1980 he emigrated to the United States to study music at the Manhattan School of Music and Columbia University, eventually becoming a U.S. citizen.

He formed the Near Eastern Music Ensemble, which performs classical Arabic music, and organized annual Arabic music retreats and arts festivals. He lives in New York City, where he leads Qantara, an Arabic ensemble he formed. Qantara melds jazz, pop, and western classical music with Arabic elements. In addition to his work in traditional and classical Arabic music, Shaheen has participated in many cross-cultural musical projects.

For tickets to Shaheen's performance at Koerner Hall.

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Need to know:
- Doors open at 9:50 am
- No charge
- Accessible on demand via portable ramp; washrooms not accessible
- Please avoid using strong-scented products due to sensitivities

Tasty refreshments (non-alcoholic) and Zatoun oliveoil+za'atar dipping.