Berklee Abu Dhabi is set to bring together the sounds of Korea and the Arabic world in a special concert, "Harmony Across Cultures," on Thursday, March 28th. This event marks the culmination of a cultural exchange program initiated by the music institution and coincides with the holy month of Ramadan.
The concert will feature a captivating performance by Korean percussion master Dong-Won Kim. Renowned for his expertise in traditional Korean percussion, vocalization, and improvisation, Kim will be joined by the talented Haegeum musician Kook Jaewhan and Daeguem player LEE Sung Gu.
Adding to the musical tapestry will be Berklee Abu Dhabi's own faculty and students. The audience can expect to hear the skillful playing of pianist Samvel Gasparyan, qanoon player Haleem Al Khatib, and Arabic percussionist Salman Baalbaki, all led by a Berklee faculty violinist Yarub Smarait.
This unique fusion concert is anticipated to be a delightful blend of Korean and Arabic musical traditions. The program follows the successful participation of the TAWASL Ensemble, a group comprised of Berklee Abu Dhabi and Bait Al Oud musicians, at the Jeonju International Sori Festival last year. It also comes on the heels of the inaugural exchange concert featuring "Duo Bud" at Abu Dhabi Art.
Berklee Abu Dhabi's cultural exchange program fosters artistic collaboration between musicians from diverse backgrounds. By bringing together Korean and Emirati musicians, this initiative promotes intercultural understanding and appreciation through the universal language of music. The "Harmony Across Cultures Concert" promises to be a vibrant celebration of this creative exchange.