Academician of the Year

Wael Kakish, an Educator, a Performer and musician, and deserves to be

” Arabic Music Academician of the Year

A dedicated lifelong champion of Arabic music and culture, Wael Kakish has spent decades as an educator, conductor, scholar, and multi-instrumentalist. His career spans university lecture halls, community ensemble halls, and major international arts institutions—most notably serving for twelve years as the Head of Education and Community Outreach at the Royal Opera House in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman.

Through his comprehensive academic background—holding a Bachelor of Arts from Yarmouk University in Jordan and a Master’s Degree in Ethnomusicology from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)—Mr. Kakish has bridged traditional Middle Eastern music, academic scholarship, and global audience engagement.

A Career Built on Educational & Cultural Leadership

During his landmark twelve-year tenure at the Royal Opera House Muscat, Mr. Kakish spearheaded educational initiatives, community engagement programs, and public lecture-demonstrations. His work made complex musical traditions accessible to diverse audiences, offering pre-performance talks and presentations on topics ranging from traditional Arabic music, Sufi, and Andalusian Muwashshahat (including North African Nuba and Maloof) to Indian classical, Jazz, and African music. He forged vital partnerships with the Ministry of Education, university faculties, and community groups, designing tailored artistic outreach programs for students, individuals with special needs, and local youth organizations.

Following his distinguished service in Oman, Mr. Kakish returned to Southern California, where he continues his commitment to music education. Whether leading workshops at summer music camps in Northern California or organizing and indexing his extensive archive of books, rare articles, notations, and live recordings, his mentorship continues to inspire students and fellow musicians.

Founding Ensembles & Community Building

Across California, Mr. Kakish has been a central force in nurturing community interest in traditional Middle Eastern music:

Kan Zaman Music Ensemble (1994–2012): As Founder, Artistic Director, and Conductor, he established this independent non-profit orchestra and choir dedicated to preserving and performing classical and folkloric Arabic music. Kan Zaman introduced audiences across North America to traditional instruments such as the Qanun, Oud, Nay, Kaman, and Riqq through major concert performances, workshops, and educational publications.
ASWAT Music Ensemble, San Francisco (2007–2009): As Artistic Director and Conductor, he led this Bay Area community ensemble in performing Andalusian Muwashshahat and traditional regional compositions.
Barnsdall Arts Center, Los Angeles (2001–2012): Served as an instructor in traditional Arabic percussion, teaching the rhythmic frameworks (iqa’at) and techniques of the Riqq, Tar, and Darabukka.

Academic Appointments & Musical Pedagogy

Mr. Kakish has served on the faculties of several top higher-education music and ethnomusicology departments across the United States:

Pasadena City College (2009–2012): Adjunct Faculty teaching historical overviews of Arabic music and directing Middle Eastern music practicum ensembles, introducing students to regional forms, genres, modes (maqamat), and rhythms.
San Diego State University (2006–2007): Faculty member in the Ethnomusicology Department.
UC Santa Barbara (Fall 2005): Directed the Near East Music Ensemble.
Cal Poly State University, Pomona (1998–2006): Music Department faculty member.

Scholarship, Writings, and Musical Mastery

As a scholar and journalist, Wael Kakish has published widely on traditional and contemporary regional music, artist profiles, and cross-cultural musicology. His published writings include:

“The Rababah & Sha’er of the Bedouins” (Master’s Thesis, UCLA, 1996)
“Munir Bashir: An Artist Profile” (Panorama Magazine, 1997)
“Al-Muwashshahat Al-Andalucia” (Kan Zaman Newsletter, 1996–1997)
“Al-Takht Ensemble in Cairo: 1850s–1920s” (Kan Zaman Newsletter, 1998)
“Musiqa Sayyid Darwish” (Al-Akhbar Newspaper, 2004)
“American and Arabic Jazz” (Al-Shabiba Newspaper, Muscat, 2012)
“Turkish Traditional and Sufi Music: Omar Faruk Tekbilek” (Al-Shabiba Newspaper, 2012)
“Warda Al-Jazairia: The End of a Traditional Music Era” (Al-Ru’ya Newspaper, 2012)
“Modernization of Arabic Music in the Mid-20th Century”

As a performer, Mr. Kakish is a versatile multi-instrumentalist skilled in the Oud, Buzuq, Percussion, Guitar, and Piano, along with various regional folk instruments. His career stands as a testament to lifelong dedication to preservation, scholarship, and artistic excellence in Arabic music.

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