SOOHAN - El Bint El Chalabiya - Traditional / arr Christiane Karam
One of the highlights of my music career so far has been the chance to work with Christiane Karam directly on this remix.
“Christiane Karam’s unique vocal style stems from her love for different musical traditions. She is the leader of the acclaimed Pletenitsa Balkan Choir and has had the privilege of sharing the stage with the likes of Hüsnü Senlendirici, Javier Limón, the Assad Brothers, Binka Dobreva, and Vadim Neselovskyi, among others. She has performed at venues and festivals such as Carnegie Hall, SummerStage, Celebrate Brooklyn!, Symphony Space, and the Koprivshtitsa Folklore Festival, among others. She has also been featured on PBS and VH1.
In addition to performing, Karam is an award-winning songwriter and composer. She's a staunch activist for cultural understanding, tolerance, and nonviolent conflict resolution. Currently on the faculty of Berklee College of Music, where she teaches in the Voice, Ensemble, and Songwriting departments, she is the founder and leader of the annual Berklee Middle Eastern Festival and actively continues her work to bring awareness and positive social change through music and the arts. Karam also performs and teaches around the world.” - Berklee College of Music
Here is an interview I conducted with Christiane last year. I actually have the privilege of meeting her next month when I go to Boston. I am so excited
Interview:
1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your career in music.
I grew up as a classical pianist, but was also exposed to and in love with British Pop, Jazz and French Chanson. I started writing music and lyrics very early as well. My upbringing was somewhat chaotic due to war and violence but it taught me a lot about our world and the voice I could be in it. Everything I’ve done in my career since, be it performing, producing or teaching, has been driven by the purpose of bringing joy, understanding and healing to the world.
2. What are some of your favorite courses you have taught over the years?
I love teaching so there’s nothing I’ve taught that I did not enjoy- but it is most rewarding for me when I teach curriculum that I’ve developed myself, that has come out of my own process and musical journey, like some of the ensembles (fusion and Balkan), the songwriting and social change, and what I’ve been privileged to bring to the art and pedagogy of vocal technique and improvisation over the years.
3. Tell us more about the Middle Eastern Festival.
The idea for the Middle Eastern festival was born after 9/11 after witnessing the fear mongering and discrimination towards the Middle East that ensued. I wanted to create a platform that honored these cultures and could educate Western audiences about these incredible traditions. We started in 2009 and we’ll be celebrating our 10th edition next march!
4. If you had a piece of advice to give to aspiring young creatives, what would it be?
Listen to that crazy voice in your gut that knows and is relentlessly reminding you that you can create an incredible life for yourself doing exactly what you love.
5. What was it like creating this remix with me? Do you think it is important to preserve traditional styles in new ways like this?
I had so much fun! I am very open to, and truly enjoy creating new soundscapes based on ancient musical language. It was wonderful working with someone who truly appreciated and wanted to preserve the original spirit of the arrangement, not something I’ve encountered very often in the world of electronic music. You had great intuition in terms of supporting that, and I love what you came up with. Thank you and I look forward to more collaborations!
6. What can you share with us about your passion for music?
I grew up in a war zone. I build bridges, that’s all I know how to do. I believe in connection, in all the ways we can inspire each other to understand and process the violence we carry in us so we can transform it into a life-giving force. Music is a great vehicle for that, it bypasses all defenses and takes us straight to the truth of who we are. And that’s the only starting place I know of, if our intention is truly to create our best lives and consequently, our best world.
Christiane Karam on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/19E0UtRyY5QbpLeeNPh0Gu?autoplay=true&v=A