ABOUT AKRAM

Akram Haddad is an award-winning composer, orchestrator, educator, and versatile musician who is dedicated to promoting a deeper understanding and appreciation of Arabic music and culture throughout his life and work.

His compositions, arrangements, and performances showcase the rich musical traditions of the Middle East and the power that exists in the collaborations between Middle Eastern music, Western music, and other folk traditions, fostering a global connection through the universal language of music.

Akram’s diverse body of work has significantly impacted the field of composition and arranging, and he has received awards such as the Palest'In & Out 2016 award for Best Music Composition. His portfolio includes music for feature films, television, video games, theater, choir, and other media. Notably, he orchestrated the music for the video game "Assassin's Creed Mirage" by Ubisoft Bordeaux (October 2023) and composed music for the feature film "Yes Repeat No" by director Michael Dahan. In 2022, he composed and created the album "The Middle East" for Universal Studios Library Music. Additionally, Akram releases original meditation music on Spotify under the project names Nairuz, Nayat, and Healing Echoes Project, which have gained millions of streams since 2021. His arrangement, "Arabic Medley," was performed by the world-renowned Firdaus Orchestra at the Dubai Expo 2020. In August 2024, the "Arabic Medley" was performed by the Landmark Orchestra, conducted by Christopher Wilkins, at the Hatch Shell in Boston.

Akram Haddad's profound connection to composing and arranging for choirs is equally notable. Serving as the resident composer for the "Al-Ba’ath” choir from Galili for over a decade, he arranged and composed music that has left an indelible mark on audiences. In addition to his work with the Al-Ba’ath choir, Akram composed "Psalm 121," a composition performed by choirs around the world, including the Zamir Choir of Boston, "Actor Core" in New York City, and "Vokalquintett Berlin" in Berlin.

Akram's compositions for theater and children’s theater, such as the pantomime production "Rijal Fe Alshams," has garnered international recognition. As the Artistic Director of the "Al Midan Theater" in Haifa, he has lent his musical talent to more than 15 theatrical productions. He has collaborated with dance groups and individual dancers, including the captivating "Sahar Damoni" performance at Suzan Dalal Tel Aviv. In 2020, he composed and orchestrated the ambitious theatrical concert "El Maestro" in Israel, involving over 40 participants, including musicians and actors on stage, which showcased his versatility and creativity in the world of theater.

As a performer, Akram's piano artistry has graced numerous concerts, festivals, and events both locally and internationally. He is also an accomplished conductor, leading orchestras and ensembles in performances of his own compositions and other works

As an educator, Akram has shared his passion for music at various institutions in Israel and the United States. Presently, he serves as a faculty member at Berklee College of Music, teaching courses for the Screen Scoring department, including Composition and Orchestration for Media Composers and Introduction to Scoring Technology for Media Composers. He also teaches at the New England Conservatory, leading the World Music Ensemble for the Contemporary Musical Arts department and lecturing on Contemporary Arabic Music Traditions. Additionally, he teaches at Brandeis University, where he delivers lectures on "Middle Eastern Arabic Music Traditions" and "Journey to World Music" courses in the BOLLI program. Moreover, he has been an Artist in Residence at Tufts University and a faculty member at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance, Ono College, and Haifa University.

Akram’s musical journey began with classical piano studies at the Robin Conservatory in Haifa, Israel, igniting his passion for the art form. He is a graduate of several prestigious music institutions, including the New England Conservatory, the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance, and Haifa University. Having earned a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Music Composition from the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance, Akram further honed his skills with a Graduate Diploma in Contemporary Improvisation in Piano performance from the New England Conservatory in Boston, MA, where he was awarded the prestigious Peter Lyman Row Global Musicianship Award upon graduation. 

Now based in the U.S., Akram lives in Boston, MA with his wife and son.