LAYAALI ARABIC MUSIC ENSEMBLE is a group of talented musicians whose love and dedication to Arabic music have earned them wide acclaim from both ethnomusicologists and audiences at sold-out performances throughout the U.S. and internationally. The ensemble is committed to performing the traditional music of the Arab world and to preserving the rich legacy of Arabic culture through soulful vocals, hypnotic instrumental improvisations, electrifying percussion, and faithful renditions and recordings of master works.

LAYAALI’s mission is to increase the awareness of Arabic music and culture through concerts, recordings, workshops and lectures. Members of the ensemble have performed at major international concert halls, colleges and universities, world music festivals, notable music halls and at church concerts nationwide.

The ensemble: Insia Malik is a versatile violinist with experience in a wide array of styles and languages of artistic expression. Gabriel Lavin plays the oud and is a musician and scholar who recently obtained a PhD in Ethnomusicology from UCLA. Simon Moushabeck plays a quarter-tone accordion and is a New Orleans-based Palestinian multi-instrumentalist trained in both Western and Arabic classical music styles. A highly accomplished qanun player, Jamal Sinno taught qanun at Mount Holyoke College’s Arabic Music Retreat for over 25 years. A Palestinian, born and raised in Beirut, Michel Moushabeck is a versatile percussionist with over 40-years experience in tabla, riqq, and daff performance.