Spiritual Music Traditions of the Middle East
A lecture and demonstration of the sacred music of Sufism (Islam), Judaism, and the Armenian Church. Demonstrating on the Oud (Middle Eastern lute) or with the ensemble, Yuval Ron presents ancient Hebrew prayers, sacred Sufi (Islamic) melodies and Armenian Christian Church. He discusses how these sacred music styles are constructed and the inter-relationship and mutual influences they shared.

Music as a Catalyst for Sacred Prayer and Ecstasy.
An Ensemble demonstration which focus on the Sufi practice of moving prayer-meditation (Whirling) and the use of sound in sacred trance settings from Turkey to Morocco. Also there will be a comparison and contrasting with Hasidic-Jewish music and trance dance and a demonstration of the Armenian Church chants and their meditative power. During this workshop the ensemble invite volunteers to participate in the whirling movement to live devotional music.

Muslim, Jewish and Christian Harmony in The Golden Age of Spain
A musical evening with Yuval Ron
The fascinating journey of the Oud (Middle Eastern Lute) from Baghdad, Iraq to Andalusia, Spain and the amazing master musician who changed the music of Europe. A lecture and demonstration of the Jewish and Arabic music originated from Andalusia and the 600 years of Arab role in Spain as well as the mutual influences between these traditions and the Christian music tradition of Spain.

The Mysticism of Sound
Composer, record producer, performer and teacher Yuval Ron shares sacred Sufi (Islamic) chants and ancient Hebrew prayers as he discusses the history of the music and the ways in which these two traditions create a devotional trance. Participants discover how to use sound to side step the brain and to use the heart for the experience of sound meditation and prayer of Unity and Oneness.

Sound Meditation as a Way for Learning Peace
Experiencing live sound meditations, participants will encounter various challenges leading to the expansion of the mind and consciousness to the point of peacefulness. Learning the way and nature of Peace via the experience of Sound.

Musical Improvisation and Spirituality
Why is it such that many of the top improvising musicians have been also spiritual people ? From John Coltrane to Nusrat Ali Fatah Khan we find the same peculiar phenomenon. What is the connection between improvising and the mystical experience. Exploration of the concept of being a vessel, being an instrument.

Klezmer & Gypsy Music Connection
A discussion of the origin of Klezmer, a Jewish East European music style and the history of the Gypsies, their music and the point of meeting and mutual influence of the two. Musical samples will be played from various recordings. Please provide a large map of the world to facilitate the discussion.

Music of the Bedouins
An introduction to the traditional music of the Nomads people of the Middle Eastern deserts. Yuval will share field recordings done in the desert dunes, stories of travels with the Bedouins and a discussion of their relationship with women, nature and with the Israelis and Egyptians who control their tribal land.

The Art of the Mawal
A demonstration the Middle Eastern improvisational vocal style called Mawal, which has a close relation to Jewish cantorial vocal style. Participants will learn about Middle Eastern vocal technique and study sacred and folk songs from Lebanon, Egypt, Syria and Iraq.

Learn Arabic Popular Songs
Learn to sing folk songs from Egypt, Turkey and Lebanon while becoming familiar with the meaning of the songs lyrics and through it with the cultures of the Middle East.

Vocal Master Class
An introduction to Middle Eastern singing styles including a presentation of various vocal styles of Turkey, Yemen, Egypt and Israel. An exploration of scales system, rhythms and ornamentation, typical in these cultures.

Rhythms of the Middle East
A demonstration of the various rhythms used in Middle Eastern music and the unique drums being used in the area. Participants will learn trance rhythms from Iran and how to count ‘exotic’ beats like 7/8, 10/8, 9/8 and to play them on their own drum.

The Magic of Armenian Woodwinds
A presentation of traditional Armenian shepherd mountain music and Armenian Church chants, adapted to the unique Armenian woodwind instruments Shvi (flute) and duduk. Participants will learn to play several tunes on their own instruments and discuss the history of this ancient musical tradition.

Central Asia: A musical Journey through Iraq, Turkey, Uzbekistan and Armenia
A lecture and demonstration of instrumentation, rhythmic patterns, harmonic implications, singing/playing techniques, as well as the influence of these cultures on each other’s music.

Landscape and Sound – Middle Eastern Music: The Fruit of the Desert
A lecture and demonstration of Bedouin music and its relationship with the desert environment.

Middle Eastern Styles and Improvisation
A group master-class in Middle Eastern music styles and expressive improvisational techniques.
Participants will be encouraged to participate in accompaniment and improvisation along with the ensemble members.

Sounds of the Myth-Creating Music Based on Creation Myths
A workshop, using myths as a starting point, participants will create a “soundtrack” for the narrative story of the myth. Participants need to bring their instruments and need to be able to improvise. Possible movement work as well.

Islam and the Middle East: A Journey in Music
A lecture and demonstration of Bedouin music, Turkish-Sufi music tradition, Iraqi folklore and Hebrew folk dance songs.

Cultures, Religions & Politics of the Middle East
A lecture and demonstration of Jewish, Arabic and Armenian musical traditions and cultures, within the context of the politics and of the Middle East region.

Music as a Bridge: Bringing People Together with Music
A discussion of ways to teach unity and tolerance using music as a platform for meeting your opponent, your neighbor and the other.

Music, Women, and Peace-Building
A lecture and demonstration of women’s role in music of the Middle East, and how they can be peace-makers as women musicians.

Music & Zen-Buddhism, Sound & Architecture
A discussion of the creation of music based on Zen Buddhist esthetic and philosophical principle using the on going collaboration of Yuval Ron with Zen Buddhist priest Hirokazo Kosaka and post modern Butho dancer Oguri as a model.

Middle Eastern Dance Styles for all Dancers, from Inexperienced to Advanced
Discussion of the dance styles of the Middle East and the collaborative process between musicians and dancers. Participants will learn basic movement styles including, Israeli folk dance, tribal trance dance, sacred dance, belly dance and more.