Welcome to the National Arab Orchestra
Bala Wala Shi: A tribute to Ziad Rahbani - Directed by: Michael Ibrahim

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This competition celebrates our upcoming Bala Wala Shi: A Tribute to Ziad Rahbani, 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

Treasures of the East: Timeless Classics of the Arab World

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1st, 2025 AT 8:00 PM CST

Stafford Centre
10505 Cash Rd.
Stafford, TX 77477

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The National Arab Orchestra (NAO), under the direction of Maestro Michael Ibrahim, returns to Texas on November 1 with Bala Wala Shi: A Tribute to Ziad Rahbani. Known for his fearless creativity and distinctive blend of jazz, classical Arab traditions, and social commentary, Rahbani’s music continues to inspire and resonate across generations.

The concert will feature guest vocalist Liliane Kheirbek, whose expressive voice and versatility make her a standout interpreter of Arab music. Born in Lyon, France, and raised in Damascus, Syria, Kheirbek is a classically trained soprano who has performed with the Syrian National Symphony Orchestra at the Damascus Opera House and in historic venues such as the Citadel of Damascus and Palmyra. Now based in Houston, she continues to perform widely, seamlessly bridging her operatic training with Middle Eastern musical traditions.

This upcoming concert promises an unforgettable evening of artistry, cultural connection, and celebration. Tickets are going fast, don’t miss your chance to experience this tribute to one of the Arab world’s most iconic composers.

Meet Liliane Kheirbek

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 Mohamed Mohsen

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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