Teaching Staff

Specializes in playing the Turkish Makam on his clarinet; graduate of New York’s New School University Performance Department; specializes in Turkish makam; studied six years under Turkish clarinet master Suran Bronian, and under teachers such as Salim Sesler, Hasan Iskot, and Dukan Najalu in Istanbul.

Born in Nazareth 1979.An Oud player, composer and lecturer. He has a first and second Degree in Oud Performance from “ Jerusalem Academy for Music and Dance”. And a third degree from “Bar-Ilan University. He is the head of department of Arabic music, Lecturer and Oud instructor, in Maqamat – Academy of Eastern Music, lecturer in the University of Haifa ”, and he was an Oud instructor in the “Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance”. He is the music director of the “Arabic Orchestra of Nazareth”. He won the Second place in the International Oud Competition via the “Arab Music Festival and Congress” at Cairo Opera House In 2003.And the first place in Marcel Khalife National Music Competition, in 2014. He released two Albums from his instrumental compositions and two singles.

A leading internationally-acclaimed percussionist who combines modern sounds with ancient cultures; Afterman performs and gives master classes in international festivals and universities. He studied under Zohar Fresco, Mark Moshayov, and Piris Eliyahu, among others.

Lugasi performs and teaches Oriental singing and tar. He started his career playing under composer and teacher Piris Eliyahu; studied classical Persian singing under Master Hossein Omoumi; studied Ottoman music and specialized in Sufi music; attended in-depth workshopd with Master Homayoun Shajarian, son of Mohammed Reza Shajarian, the greatest Iranian singer.
After years of focusing on such liturgy, Lugasi is one of Israel’s leading experts in the field of Eastern vocal music. He served as pedagogical coordinator of the Maqam Project in Jerusalem; managed the Hed College Vocal Department; and gives master-classes nationwide.

Sameer Makhoul was born in Pekiin in northern Israel.  He is a composer, singer and oud player.  A graduate of the Jerusalem Music Academy, his musical compositions have been influenced by various styles that he has explored in his rich and multi-faceted career. Mahul is the Founder and Musical Director of the new Zeyrab Conservatory of Music in Nazereth opening this year in September, 2017.  He performs in Israel and abroad.

Levi studied violin under Yeshua Azulay, the greatest Jewish Andalusian violinist, as well as leading teachers such as Meir Atiya and Haim Biton; first violinist of the Israeli Andalusian Orchestra of Ashdod and head of the Young Ensemble; musical director of the Haim Louk Ensemble; Established Dialna, an international ensemble that revives the musical traditions of Moroccan Jews and is among the young guard of Andalusian music in Israel.

Yair Dalal is an internationally renowned Israeli musician, a leading progenitor in Israel of the field of Mediterranean and Israeli world music, and son of Iraqi-born parents.  He is a virtuoso oud and violin player, creator, composer, teacher and performing artist.  His main specialty is Israeli ethnic music, world music and the combination of traditional Jewish and Arab sources, combining East and West, roots music and modern.

Composer of Oriental music with years of practical experience with Andalusian orchestras and Israeli musicians such as Tea-Packs, David Da’or, Miri Mesika, and more; leader of Yamas, a Greek music ensemble that performs worldwide; having studied in Turkey, Greece, and Israel, Shefi developed a personal style that combines maqam with Western harmonies and grooves.

Barak plays the saz, baglama, and jura, specializing in Turkish, Kurdish, Central Asian, and Persian music; heads the distinguished Diwan Saz Ensemble; performed with and learned from musicians such as Piris Eliyahu, Ross Daly, Keli Thoma, Kutla Khan, and Mehmet Erelner. He teaches throughout Israel, focusing on improvisation, the saz and its special strumming technique, and developing healing musical qualities.

Eitan began teaching piano and classical theory from an early age. As a youngster, he found a connection to his musical roots and began to learn  from his father Yitzhak Refua the art of the Persian “Radif” and playing the Santur. Eitan is a graduate of Rimon School, teaches oriental piano, santur, tombak, daf, and Persian music theory. He is the arranger, composer and musical director of the ensembles Afsaneh and QTT together with his father. He has participated in many ensembles and shows in Israel and abroad. Currently working on writing a comprehensive book on the theory of Persian music.