Project Band
Contact Us

Do You...

  • Find yourself lost in the intricacies of Middle Eastern music when performing?
  • Wish you could connect more deeply with Arab music?
  • Get tired of paying for sporadic workshops to try to understand "maqam" and wish for a more comprehensive approach?
LEARN MORE

Maqam for Dancers – Rast workshop is designed just for you.

Led by Maestro Michael Ibrahim, founder and conductor of the National Arab Orchestra, this 4-week Zoom series will equip you with the knowledge to understand, recognize, and confidently interpret maqam Rast. Using his multi-instrumentalist expertise, original recordings, and performances from the National Arab Orchestra, Michael will ensure that the concepts discussed are understandable to all in attendance.

What You'll Learn:

  • The cultural and musical foundations of maqam Rast
  • How to recognize Rast in various compositions
  • Real-time demonstrations to apply concepts immediately,

Struggling to understand the nuances of Arab music?

This class breaks it down for you.

Want to enhance the depth of your understanding of Arab Music?

Here's your chance.

Looking for guided practice with one of the best in the field?

Maestro Ibrahim will lead you every step of the way.

Ready to deepen your connection to Arab music? 

Sign up now and start your journey with one of the leading figures in Arab music.

ENROLL NOW

Maqam Series 2

$80

Maqam for Dancers – Rast

  • Learn at your own pace
  • Get lifetime access to recordings
BUY NOW

Maqam for Dancers – Bayati

Series 1

LEARN MORE

Maqam for Dancers – Hijaz

Series 3 NEW Series with LIVE Classes!

LEARN MORE

 

Unsure which class to take?

In Arabic music, a maqam (plural: maqamat) refers to a melodic system or mode, similar to a scale but with unique patterns, ornamentations, and emotional expressions.

  • Bayati (بياتي) – Rooted in folk traditions, conveying warmth and nostalgia.
  • Rast (راست) – Translates to "straight" or "direct", symbolizing authority and balance.
  • Hijaz (حجاز) – Named after the Hejaz region in Arabia, often linked to spirituality and exoticism in Arabic music.

Understanding these meanings allows dancers to not only recognize the music but also interpret and embody its essence through movement.

Each maqam has its own identity, and understanding them allows dancers to bring deeper meaning to their performances.

About Michael Ibrahim

Michael Ibrahim is an award-winning conductor, composer, multi-instrumentalist, and educator. As the founder and Music Director of the National Arab Orchestra (NAO), Michael is celebrated for his dynamic musical style and groundbreaking contributions to Arab music, both in the U.S. and internationally.

LEARN MORE