Nisreen Nasser - Director of the Music department

Nisreen Nasser is a choir conductor and television producer. She pursued her music studies in New York, Massachusetts and Lebanon and is currently the Nisreen Nasser is a choir conductor, oud player, and television producer.

She pursued her music studies between New York, Massachusetts and Lebanon, and is currently the director of the music department at LAPA.

She also holds a Masters degree in Media and Communication from the Lebanese University, and a Bachelor in Audio-Visual Journalism. During her journalistic career, she produced a number of Lebanese TV shows and music videos, and worked as a reporter for several local and regional radios and newspapers. She deepened her music studies with renowned musicians in the United States and Lebanon between which are Simon Shaheen, Rima Khsheish, Michel Baqlouk and others. In 2014, she co-founded Project Juthoor, to preserve and promote Arabic language and music among both Arabic and non-Arabic speakers. She joined LAPA in 2017 and has been offering ever since a variety of music courses for children and adults.

Yousef Bara - Singing and Piano

Yousef Bara is an Arab music conductor, composer, singer and pianist who was born in Syria in 1990. Yousef holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music (Singing and Piano) from the Higher Institute of Musical Arts in Kuwait from which he graduated with high distinction.

His big voice caught the attention of the Arab world from a very young age when he made it to the finals of Super Star (Known today as Arab Idol) at only 16 years old.

Yousef produced several original sound tracks and songs after he dedicated most of his music career to reviving Muwashahat and traditional Arabic music forms.

Basem Nabeel Rashwan - Cello

Basem Nabeel Rashwan, is a Cello instructor who has a BA in music (2009) from the Higher Institute of Arab Music, Egypt.

Rashwan was a member in the religious musical group at the Egyptian Opera House, and has been a Music Teacher in Kuwait since 2013.

He also has accompanied big stars in many musical festivities and events, as well as, has composed more than 50 Kuwaiti series theme songs.

Tammam Saeed - Oud

Tammam studied music since childhood with the best instructors in Syria. In 2003 tammam was enrolled at the University of Music Education in Homs. 

During his studies he participated in national and international festivals and founded multiple musical bands. after his graduation in 2007 tammam was appointed professor at the same university. 

Tammam participated in a workshop lead by famous Osman Yurdal Tockan; global instrumentalist and received a training certificate in 2007. In 2009, he won the third place prize in the Arab world during his participating in the improvisation contest organised by the 18th cairo conference festival. tammam also composed several songs and musical pieces.Now he is studing a master's degree at the Antonine University in Musicology.

April Centrone - Percussions

April Centrone is an American multi-instrumentalist, teacher, composer and music therapist based in NYC / NJ.

She plays the drums, Tabla, Riq, Oud, Violin, Buzuq, and other instruments. She is a Carnegie Hall World Explorer 2020 musician and educator, business owner of 10PRL in Ney Jersey, and co-founder of the New York Arabic Orchestra.

She currently teaches world music at William Paterson University and has held lectures in music therapy and Arabic music/percussion at Taipei University of the Arts, Lebanese American University and others. She has worked extensively with inner-city schools throughout NYC’s boroughs with project such as Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Connect.

Tarek Charbel - Violin

He is a multi-instrumentalist with a BA in Musicology from USEK (Holy Spirit University of Kaslik - Lebanon).

He participated in festivals around the Middle East, Europe and Arab World.