Biography
In 1990 five Palestinian musicians and music teachers conducted a study on the status of music in Palestine. They concluded that there was an urgent need to establish a music school to fill the huge gap in music education in the Palestinian society. In 1993, the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music was established in Ramallah, with branches in Jerusalem, and Bethlehem following soon after. Today,In 1993, the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music was established in Ramallah, with branches in Jerusalem, today with over 500 students currently enrolled, the conservatory brings hope to Palestinian youth, and through their music spreads the message of freedom and tolerance.
How we met:
Our first day in Old Jerusalem, we hired a cab in the city’s Arab Quarter, and asked him to take us to the West Bank. Over a delicious lunch of hummus, eggplant, and kebab, we explained that we were interested in finding Palestinian musicians, and asked him if he knew of any. He smiled, and drove us to the Edward Said Conservatory of Music– a beautiful institution that provides hope and opportunity to the Palestinian youth through music.