LKL Web Exclusive – ZADE: Music Transformed My Life

"ZADE is a Jordanian musician of outstanding ability, whose creations have delighted the people of our nation... In these troubled days, ZADE represents the young seeking to bring peace and understanding to our troubled region and the world."

– Queen Noor

I have been extremely blessed with the gift of music, which has enabled me to share the dreams of my people with so many around the world.
I regard the blessing of music as a tremendous responsibility, for it gives me access to a language that has the ability to inspire across generations and creeds, and has the power to transform lives. I know first hand, because it transformed my life. Stemming from this sense of responsibility, and inspired by Jordan’s historical role in championing the quest for peace in the Middle East, it was only natural for my work to be dedicated to building bridges of hope, tolerance, and compassion between our cultures.

I have been blessed with tremendous mentors in America and Jordan. From platinum selling producers and outstanding educators in America to the best Arabic music educators in the Middle East.  In Jordan, I studied music at the National Music Conservatory, which was founded by Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan. An exceptional role model, Her Majesty has been of tremendous support throughout my journey as she was there for me at my first public concert in Amman at the Citadel in 1999, and today she continues to support my endeavors in Jordan and the United States. Her Majesty Queen Noor taught me that true fulfillment is only achieved through sincere public service. Her latest effort with Global Zero, a movement launched and dedicated for the phased, verified elimination of all nuclear weapons worldwide is something that we all should support. You can learn more about Global Zero at www.globalzero.org.

Some of my most memorable events have taken place through the work of the Zade foundation for international Peace and Understanding, a US based non profit organization aimed at empowering young musicians who are passionate about sharing a deeper understanding of their respective cultures by offering them tangible career opportunities, thus bolstering the role of music maker to peace maker.

One of the project that I am especially proud of is the Roads to You Tour, which brought together 35 musicians from different parts of the world, each selected based on their musical excellence and leadership. Those young musicians were able to share their cultural heritages throughout the United States in presenting hundreds of workshops and house concerts, which have provided an educational platform where ideas have been exchanged, stereotypes shattered, and friendships forged.

The Zade foundation is also launching the, “The Young Composers for Peace Award” an annual program aimed at empowering and supporting outstanding young composition students who are passionate about writing contemporary instrumental music as well as committed to upholding and promoting the principles of peace and social justice within their own communities and around the world. For eligibility and submissions guidelines, please visit the Zade Foundation website at www.zadefoundation.org.

Today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders, and I have been inspired time and time again by their stories of hope and determination. Whether working with students from Jordan, Israel, India, Iraq, Syria, Turkey, England or America, the findings are always the same, and we all share the same dream: To live in peace, and provide a safe environment built on justice and mutual respect where our children can grow together as members of one human family.

If my work can inspire someone somewhere to this end, as I have been inspired by others before me, then God Willing, I am fulfilling my calling. After all, we are on this earth but for a limited span of time, and a man’s worth is measured by the legacy he leaves behind.

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