Welcome to the National Arab Orchestra
East Meets West: Christmas in the Holy Land
December 6, 2025
Directed by: Michael Ibrahim

If you’ve already purchased tickets and win, we’ll refund your tickets, or you can bring two more friends or family members!

Entering is easy:

  1. Sign up to join the competition.

  2. You’ll receive a unique share link, and you earn points each time someone uses it to enter.

  3. The more you share your link with friends and family, the more they click on your link to enter the competition, the more points you earn, and the more chances you have to win VIP Tickets!

This competition celebrates our upcoming East Meets West: Christmas in the Holy Land concert on December 6, 2025, at the Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts, 350 Madison St, Detroit, MI 48226, while helping us grow the National Arab Orchestra community.

Our Mission: To preserve and share Arab culture through unforgettable musical experiences that educate, inspire, and celebrate the rich traditions of the Arab world.

Thank you for helping us share the music and spirit of our community!

Competition ends in:

Showtime!

Upcoming Event Details

East Meets West: Christmas in the Holy Land

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6th, 2025 AT 8:00 PM

Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts

350 Madison St • Detroit, MI 48226

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Get ready for one of Detroit's most unforgettable holiday nights! The National Arab Orchestra (NAO), led by Maestro Michael Ibrahim, joins forces with the Flint Institute of Music to present East Meets West: Christmas in the Holy Land – a dazzling musical collage that weaves together cultures, melodies, rhythms, and traditions into a beautiful evening.

This one-of-a-kind collage blends the soulful sounds of the Middle East with the festive harmonies of Western Christmas classics, creating a rich, multi-layered holiday experience full of color, texture, and joy.

This is not your typical holiday concert. It's a unique blend of East and West, a celebration of diverse cultures, and a showcase of world-class talent.

It's not just big, it's a celebration of joy. It's not just bright, it's a beacon of excitement. And it's not just a concert; it's an overflowing holiday spirit you'll be part of.

Featuring the NAO Takht Ensemble, the Flint Symphony Orchestra, the Jawqa Community Choir with their soaring harmonies, the Detroit Youth Choir with their youthful energy, and the Sound of Joy Choir with their infectious joy, this all-star lineup delivers a celebration unlike anything else here in Detroit!

Why You Have to Be There

Because this is the kind of night you'll talk about for years.

Because your kids, parents, and friends will feel the magic.

During the holidays, we lean into everything we love: music, family, tradition, culture, and connection, and this concert brings it all to life on one stage.

This extraordinary evening blends beloved Christmas melodies with rich Arab musical traditions, creating a vibrant and heartwarming celebration of the season's true spirit.

A Holiday Night for Every Generation

Bring your family.

Bring your friends.

Bring anyone who loves Christmas, culture, great music, or unforgettable experiences.

This is a holiday evening designed to warm your heart, spark wonder, and create memories you'll treasure long after the last note fades. It's an experience that will stay with you and your loved ones for years to come.

Detroit only gets one night like this.

You don't want to miss it.

Meet Liliane Kheirbek

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Born in Grenoble, France, and raised in Damascus, Syria, Liliane is both a pharmacist at Houston Methodist Hospital and a Soprano specializing in Opera and Middle Eastern music. She earned her Pharmacy Degree from Damascus University and trained at the Higher Institute of Music in Damascus, the Lyon Conservatory in France, and the Royal Conservatory in Brussels. Liliane enjoys singing in a variety of musical styles, including Middle Eastern music, Opera, and ancient languages. She moved to Houston, Texas, from Belgium in 2020. Liliane has widely performed with the Syrian National Symphony in the Damascus Opera House under the direction of notable conductors. Liliane has also performed at historic locations in Syria, including the Citadel of Damascus and the ancient City of Palmyra.
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Meet Michael Ibrahim

Michael Ibrahim
The National Arab Orchestra’s founder and music director, Michael Ibrahim, is a dynamic conductor and a recognized innovator in the Arab music circuit. A Metro-Detroit native, he was born into a Syrian immigrant family of humble origins. He began his musical studies on the ‘Ud, and later studying the Bassoon and Nay as his musical training progressed. Ibrahim studied under renowned musicians Simon Shaheen, Johnny Sarweh, Nadeem Dlaikan, Douglas Bianchi, Anthony Iannacconne, Dr. David Pierce, Robert Williams, and Victoria King. He earned a bachelor degree in music from Eastern Michigan University, and a Master of Music degree in conducting from Wayne State University. Ibrahim’s background and unique approach to composition and improvisation—fusing Western and Arab music idioms— has led to performances in concert halls and venues the world over, features on a number of recordings and film scores, and opportunities to share the stage with some of the most influential figures in Western and Arab music. His role as an educator, providing instrumental and ensemble instruction, lectures and demonstrations on Arab music, privately and in the classroom, at university and grade school levels, ultimately brought him to founding the NAO, where he currently serves as Music Director. Ibrahim hopes that through his performances and educational efforts, he can instill a wider appreciation for Arab music and its heritage.
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Purchase Tickets Here

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The National Arab Orchestra offers a unique musical experience, blending rich Arab melodies with contemporary arrangements. It’s more than just a concert, it’s a chance to immerse yourself in a culture that connects people across backgrounds. Whether you love world music or want something new, the NAO delivers a powerful performance that stays with you long after the final note.
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Contact Us

 
Telephone: +1 440-289-8321
Contact Name: Sherri Richards
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NAO is a 501(C)3 non-profit organization

EIN: 27-2907966

 

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