WholeTone Music Academy

REMINDER! Tomorrow: WholeTone Music Academy Presents A Classical Arabic Concert & Brunch at Connexion, Somerville.
Classical Arabic Takht ensemble paired with traditional foods and dance. 🇵🇸

Saturday, May 30, 2026
11:30 AM Brunch | 12:00 PM Concert

We are also raising mutual aid for our Palestinian friends and colleagues. We encourage you to donate to our Palestinian Oud player who is fundraising for her music education, Layan Hawila.

An afternoon of Classical and Contemporary Arabic music performed by Jadhibia Ensemble (تخت الجاذبية) led by WTMA instructor Alejandro Castellano, collaborating with artists renowned locally and around the world for their artistry in classical Arabic music: Bengisu Gokce, George Mansour, Georges Chedid, Hala Abu Nassar, Jamal Sinno, Layan Hawila, Rami Abu Olaya, and Tareq Rantisi. Stay until the end for a Dabke circle dance!

This fabulous Takht (ensemble) will take the stage at Connexion, 149 Broadway, Somerville, Massachusetts. .umc

Light brunch from our partner Yafa Bakery & Cafe will be served at 11:30am and the concert will begin at 12:00pm.

This is a free event but we welcome donations. All proceeds will go to our LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC scholarship fund, and mutual aid. We are also collaborating with Somerville for Palestine in community aid.

This event is partially funded by the “Free For All” Grant from The Boston Foundation.

Keep swiping over to hear some preview videos of their beautiful program!

Donate to Layan: https://gofund.me/87dc07faf
RSVP: https://wholetoneacademy.com/event/arabic-concert-brunch/

Join us for Arabic Classical Ensemble Performances, led by our WTMA instructor Alejandro Castellano with featured performers also specializing in this wonderful music. We are collaborating with the efforts of local community artists who are renowned around the world for their musical specialties: Bengisu Gokce , George Mansour , Georges Chedid, Hala Abu Nassar , Jamal Sinno , Layan Hawila , Rami Abu Olaya , and Tareq Rantisi . We will even have a chance for a little Dabke dance break!

Light brunch from our partner Yafa Bakery & Cafe will be served at 11:30am and the concert will begin at 12:00pm.

This is a free event but we welcome donations. All proceeds will go to our LGBTQIA+ BIPOC scholarship fund. We aim to also collaborate for community aid. 🇵🇸

This event is partially funded by the “Free For All” Grant from The Boston Foundation, and additionally by your generous support.

WholeTone Music Academy Presents Strings Who Sing at The Rockwell in Davis Square
A novel chamber ensemble featuring original music by Flight Or Visibility!
Tuesday, June 16, 2026 | 7:30 PM 🎻
Composer Raf Natan (aka Flight Or Visibility), a WholeTone Music Academy (WTMA) instructor, leads the performance of these innovative Singing String Quartet pieces on violin and lead voice. Completing the quartet are Nora Maynard (WTMA Director) as a violist and soprano, violinist Clara Rose, and cellist Valerie Thompson. All projects by Strings Who Sing are collaborations honoring multiple traditions while creating something entirely new.
Inspired by the legacies of Rhiannon Giddens, Abel Selacoe, Carla Kihlstedt, and Laurie Anderson, Strings Who Sing features an ensemble of four singer-songwriters who accompany themselves on bowed string instruments. This project is the longtime dream of Boston-based artist and organizer Flight Or Visibility, who has written most of the music for the ensemble. With up to 4 vocal notes and 8 string notes happening simultaneously at any given moment, the singing string quartet provides unique sonic textures ranging from minimalist, vulnerable threads of melody, to lush, orchestral soundscapes. This concert will be Strings Who Sing’s live performance debut!
This free event is produced with generous support from The Boston Foundation’s “Free For All” Grant, as well as Club Passim. WholeTone Music Academy welcomes donations toward our LGBTQIA+ BIPOC scholarship fund.
Strings Who Sing takes stage at The Rockwell, 255 Elm Street, in Davis Square, Somerville, Massachusetts on Tuesday, June 16th, 2026 at 7:30 PM. Doors open at 7 PM.
Accessibility: ASL interpretation will be provided for the concert. The Rockwell is partially ADA Accessible with an elevator. and restrooms in the saloon wide enough for wheelchair use.
All Ages Welcome. However, a valid ID is required for alcohol consumption. There is a bar with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages available for purchase.
Tickets: https://therockwell.org/calendar/strings-who-sing/