Ṣaltanah
A classical Arabic instrumental ensemble built around maqam, tarab, and the slow art of listening together.
Arabic classical music, Mediterranean traditions, and electronics, carried from a Beirut childhood to stages across Australia and Europe.
I'm a qanun and nay player, composer, and producer based in Melbourne, with roots in Beirut. For more than a decade I've worked across Arabic classical music, the worlds of maqam and tarab, alongside Mediterranean and Anatolian traditions and electronic production.
I founded and direct Ṣaltanah, co-founded Ṭarabeat, and play as a core member of Estudiantina of Melbourne and The Kismet Project. My work moves between concert halls, festivals, processions, and the studio, performing, directing, composing, and archiving along the way.
A classical Arabic instrumental ensemble built around maqam, tarab, and the slow art of listening together.
Tarab meets electronics, including the live collaboration Tarabeat x MzRizk.
Greek, Smyrneika, and rebetiko repertoire, played in the café-aman spirit.
Turkish, Anatolian, and Romani music, threading the lines between traditions.
Intimate solo sets and improvised taqsim, scaled to the room.
Loud, celebratory processional sets for weddings, openings, and festivals.
Interactive workshops for schools, festivals, and community groups, delivered through Cultural Infusion and independently.
One-to-one lessons with a native speaker, from conversation practice to exam preparation, in person or online.
Guided experiences with Culture Quest and as a freelance guide, drawing on years leading tours in Beirut and Europe.
Booking a performance, planning a workshop, or setting up French lessons? Tell me what you have in mind and I'll get back to you soon.