Educational Programs

Education is at the heart of the NYAO mission. The orchestra’s internal program is comprised of weekly coached rehearsals, sectionals, private instruction, and courses in theory and improvisation.  The orchestra values educational outreach equally, and since its inception has made monumental strides in bringing Arabic music education to youths, college students, and adults around the city and throughout the country.

In its rich 4-year history, the orchestra has hosted programs at public schools throughout the major boroughs of NY, public workshops at Arab community centers around the U.S., lectures at music conferences around the world, and residencies in some of the most prestigious American colleges.

NYAO’s Project College

NYAO’s Project College is a pioneering residency program in Arabic music, featuring 2-4 days of classes, lecture-demonstrations, workshops, orchestra rehearsals and private instruction, and concludes with a concert open to the public. The program is tailored for the university structure, interwoven with relevant courses and providing additional opportunities throughout the campus. Project College has worked with the Departments of Music, Arab Studies, Arab Language, and World studies, and has visited some of the top U.S. schools including Berklee College in Boston, Bucknell University in PA, University of Minnesota, Dartmouth College in NH, and Carleton College in MN.

*For Children!* NYAO’s Project Youth

Project Youth is an innovative program in Arabic music designed for children of 6-18 years, suitable for public schools, private schools, and community centers. Children are introduced to Arabic instruments such as the nay, ‘ud, and Arabic percussion. Classes are engaging, interactive sessions of playing, dancing, clapping and singing. Additionally, classes inspire curiosity, meditation, emotional expression and open conversation with the artists. NYAO’s Project Youth has been featured in Yo-Yo Ma's Silk Road Connect (SRC), year-round program for 6th-graders in public schools throughout Harlem, Queens, Brooklyn and the Bronx. The NYAO contributed SRC’s first guest artist visit of its pilot year of 2009, and was involved with the 2009 SRC advisory committee. Since 2007, the NYAO joined hands with Musicians For Harmony and the Brooklyn College Community Partnership (BCCP) for "Music of the World," pioneering public school program in world music for students aged 12-18.

Arabic Music Semester Intensive (AMSI)

The NYAO incepted the Arabic Music Semester Intensive (AMSI) in January 2010, a monthly theory workshop series geared towards college students of music, professional performers, music teachers, and Arabic music enthusiasts. AMSI has provided the building blocks for NYAO’s vision - The Arabic Music Institute of NY - introducing students to a rigorous program of improvisation, ear training and solfege, dictation, rhythm and ornamentation, diction, and ensemble. Due to growing interest, AMSI has since divided into two levels to accept students who are new to playing their instrument or to reading music. AMSI has visited the Arab cultural centers of Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Minneapolis and Dearborn (the Arab American National Museum); continues to host its NY program at the French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF); and traveled overseas to feature the program in Taipei, Taiwan, in conjunction with the Taipei Chinese Orchestra (TCO) Silk Road International Conference.

Click Here to register or learn more about the upcoming AMSI semester Arabic Music Semester Intensive