Zaher Alkaei

Music

Music runs through my work in three connected ways: composing, performing, and researching. I write for ensembles and film, play violin and synthesizer across classical, Arabic classical, and improvised settings, and study how musical traditions travel and change.

Composer

As a composer, my work is shaped by a wide range of influences, spanning traditional Arabic music, contemporary avant-garde, and experimental electronic styles.

I enjoy exploring microtonality, improvisation, and cross-genre compositions, blending the rich tonal structures of Arabic classical music with modern techniques.

I am open to commissions from ensembles or filmmakers seeking unique, custom compositions for their projects. Feel free to reach out through the contact section for inquiries.

Watch

Listen

Musician

I play the violin and the synthesizer. In addition to my formal education as a violin teacher, I took violin lessons with Anne Schinz and composition lessons with Orestis Goumenos.

I have performed with a wide range of ensembles, exploring genres such as classical music, Arabic classical music, cross-over, and improvisation.

I am open to collaboration, improvisation sessions, and giving workshops. For inquiries, please reach out via the contact section.

Watch

On Instagram

More on YouTube and SoundCloud.

Selected Performances & Collaborations

Musicologist

I hold a master’s degree in Musicology and my research covers a range of topics, including music theory, improvisation, hip-hop, electronic music, and the cultural evolution of music. I’m particularly interested in how different genres and practices develop and influence one another over time.

I have taught at university level and am open to collaboration on research projects, giving workshops, programming concerts, and music curating. For inquiries, please reach out via the contact section.

Teaching

Articles and Publications

I’ve written about a variety of topics in musicology, focusing on things like Arabic music, improvisation, and how music evolves within cultures. My work looks at both traditional music and modern genres, exploring how they shape and are shaped by the world around them. Here are some of my selected publications:

Useful Resources

This section introduces useful resources for musicologists and composers interested in microtonal music.