PENNSYLVANIA

Kinan Abou-afach and Ayman Alalao present a performance of digitally created visuals with live and pre-recorded music. The performance takes the audience through non-linear storytelling where sounds generate visual patterns and illustrations created live on stage. Performed with musicians Kinan Abou-afach on cello, Hanna Khoury on violin, and Hafez Kotain on percussion, this collaborative work touches on themes of Arab heritage, history, and politics. Live projections generated by audio recognition technology that interprets each instrument separately will create a dynamic visual and musical narrative.

*Al-Bustan is committed to the highest-quality concert experience for our audience. Due to the length of our programs, children under 8 years of age are not permitted. We thank you for your understanding.

Kinan Abou-afach is a Syrian-born cellist and composer. Abou-afach began his musical studies at the age of seven and received his first degree in cello and oud performance in the music preparatory program of the Arabic Institute of Music in Damascus. He completed a Bachelors degree in cello performance with a minor in oud performance from the Higher Institute of Music in Damascus. He has performed as a soloist with various orchestras in the Arab region and participated in master-classes with Francoise Baduell, Federico Romano, Yo-Yo Ma, and members of Alban Berg Quartet. Abou-afach is also an active composer, writing music influenced by Eastern and Western traditions. Some of his film scores include original soundtracks “The Long Night” by Hatem Ali; “Where We Stood” by Blake Beckstrom; and for the Theater/Dance “Jondo Portraits” by choreographer Wendy Clinard. Most recently he composed “Roads to Damascus,” a 52-minute composition commissioned by Al-Bustan and premiered in February 2013 at the Arab Music Concert Series in Philadelphia. He is a recipient of the prestigious 2013 Pew Fellowship in the Arts, which is awarded each year to 12 Philadelphia artists who demonstrate exemplary talent.

Ayman Alalao is a visual artist and designer with over seven years experience in the design field, focused on web and interactive projects. Born and raised in Damascus, Syria, Ayman studied Visual Communication at Damascus University School of Fine Arts and in May 2011 completed his Master of Science in Digital Design at Philadelphia University.