Music from Hope
Tarek Ghriri and Nour Kaadan
Nour Kaadan and Tarek Ghriri are Syrian musicians based in Toronto, and the founders of Music From Hope. The two musicians taught various music and theatre workshops in Damascus, Syria in 2012 before moving to Lebanon to train in post-conflict teaching. In 2016, they trained with Sounds of Change in a refugee camp in Beirut, Lebanon. Since then, they have been facilitating workshops both in Beirut and Toronto for newcomer and refugee children and their families.
Nour Kaadan began learning percussion in 2010 in Syria, which she then used in camps in Damascus and Lebanon, writing and playing music with children. She saw how music can help children express their feelings, overcome trauma, and find commonalities with each other through making music, playing rhythms, and creating simple songs. Nour is a core member of the Syrian-Flamenco band Diar, creating Arabic music infused with Flamenco flavour, an original genre that reflects the musicians’ backgrounds and memories. Nour received the RBC Arts Access Award in 2018 and 2019, and has since been focused on expanding the Music From Hope program to touch as many lives as possible.
Tarek Ghriri began his career as a musician in 2005, and has since been teaching music in Syria, Lebanon and Toronto. He received training in child and youth activities with the Sounds of Change Foundation in Beirut in 2016. He focuses on children and youth who come from conflicted or post-conflict areas, helping them integrate into their new homes. Tarek began playing guitar when he was 14 years old, influenced by the artistic environment in Damascus. He mixes flamenco with traditional Arabic melodies to revive his heritage while paying homage to another. Music saved Tarek when he was jobless after fleeing his home in Damascus in 2013, giving him new hope and a source of inspiration. Once in Toronto, Tarek decided to make a living through music and saw its effect on his family, friends, and fellow artists. Tarek was honoured to receive two consecutive RBC Arts Access Awards and build skills as well as a community to grow the Music From Hope program.
Web site: https://www.musicfromhope.com
Instagram: @musicfromhope
