MUSICIANS

Raneem Barakat is Usul Ensemble’s Syrian-Canadian mezzo-soprano, known for her seamless blend of classical and Middle Eastern vocal traditions. Trained in both Western classical voice and Arabic maqam, Raneem brings a rich, expressive sound to every performance.

She holds a degree in Voice Performance from the University of Toronto and has performed with leading ensembles across Canada and abroad, including the Syrian National Symphony Orchestra and the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir.

Equally at home in Arabic and Western styles, Raneem’s voice bridges cultures and adds depth to Usul’s unique sound.

Michael Snono is a Syrian baritone known for his powerful voice and deep connection to traditional Syrian melodies. Trained in oriental singing, piano, and oud, he holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music from the Higher Institute of Music in Damascus and has performed internationally as a soloist across Europe, North Africa, and the Gulf.

Now based in Toronto, Michael brings a unique blend of Syriac, Byzantine, and classical influences to Usul Ensemble. His recent work includes recordings with the Canadian Arabic Orchestra and performances with the Damascus Soloists in Syria and Russia.

Shireen Abu-Khader is a Palestinian-Jordanian-Canadian conductor, alto singer, and the founder of Usul Ensemble. With deep roots in Levantine musical traditions and formal training in Western choral music, she brings a distinctive sound and vision to the group’s performances.

A passionate educator and composer, Shireen holds a PhD in Music Education and has led ensembles across the Arab world and North America. Her work bridges cultures, blending authenticity with innovation in every performance.

Majd Maary is the guitarist, bass guitarist, and music producer of Usul Ensemble. Trained in classical and flamenco guitar, Majd brings depth and versatility to the group’s sound. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Music Business and Production at Berklee College of Music, where he continues to refine his artistic and technical approach.

Majd leads the ensemble’s audio production, blending traditional Middle Eastern elements with contemporary textures to create a rich, immersive musical experience rooted in cultural storytelling.

Naghmeh Farahmand, the daughter of master percussionist Mahmoud Farahmand, has performed with many well-known ensembles in Iran and at festivals in Europe, Asia, and North America while collaborating with Iranian TV for more than a decade. In 2010 she moved to Canada, releasing her solo percussion CD Unbound and collaborating with top performers of world music. She has vast experience  music and conducting workshops throughout the world.In 2016 she released her first Instructional DVD on Persian rhythms “ The Iranian Daf “ in international drumming language.

Belgian pianist Helen Becqué gave her European début at the age of nine, performing a solo recital in a benefit concert for cancer awareness. Since her precocious youth and subsequent studies (including with Europe’s pre-eminent Lieder coach, Helmut Deutsch), Helen has emerged as a consistently thoughtful, emotionally-committed, and technically-scintillating recitalist, and opera devotee. Helen’s experience as an opera coach and orchestra keyboard player has seen her appear in diverse operas, including Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, Weill’s Street Scene, and Verdi’s La Traviata.  A lauded vocal coach and teacher, she instructs her University of Toronto classes in German Lieder and Song Interpretation. A deft performer, soloist, and collaborator, Helen is at home with ensembles and orchestras in Madrid, Munich, Brussels, New York, and Toronto, and has proven instrumental to many notable recordings and world premieres, including that of Three Songs from the Tang Dynasty by Alice Ping Ye Ho in Toronto.

Sanaz Nakhjavani is an Iranian-Canadian qanun player whose artistry blends Persian, Turkish, and Levantine traditions. She studied piano and qanun at the Tehran Conservatory and holds a Bachelor’s in Music and a Master’s in Turkish Music. She is currently completing her Ph.D. in Ethnomusicology at Istanbul Technical University.

Sanaz has performed internationally with various ensembles and brings refined technique, deep cultural knowledge, and expressive musicality to Usul Ensemble’s sound. Now based in Canada, she continues to perform, teach, and explore the intersections of Middle Eastern music traditions.