Simon Shaheen

Simon Shaheen is an American musician, composer, and educator known for his mastery of the oud and violin. Born in Ma'alot-Tarshiha, he spent his childhood between Haifa and Tarshiha, growing up in a family deeply rooted in Arabic musical traditions. Guided early by his father, Hikmat Shaheen, and alongside his musically active siblings, he began studying the oud at the age of five and soon added violin to his training. Shaheen pursued formal studies in Arabic literature and music performance at Tel Aviv University, later continuing academic work at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. In 1980, he moved to the United States for advanced music education at the Manhattan School of Music and Columbia University, ultimately becoming a U.S. citizen. Based in New York, Shaheen has contributed to performances, concerts, and education in Arabic and cross-cultural music, leading ensembles such as the Near Eastern Music Ensemble and Qantara. His dedication to the preservation and advancement of Arabic musical heritage has earned him major recognition, including a National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts in 1994.