fayrouz, asmahan, om k'alsoum, stravinsky, bobby mc ferrin, bartok, webern, shostakovitch, bach, anouar brahem, lole y manuel, radio tarifa, michael schiefel, camille, youssou n'dour, souad massi, bjork, ghada shbeir, samuel beckett...
Sounds Like
a unique vocal tone combining classical western training with arabic timbres and ornaments (and a wish to experiment and explore...)
Merit has a BMus Hons from Edinburgh University (2000), an MMus in Contemporary Music Studies from Goldsmiths College with distinction (2002) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Creative Leadership from the Royal College of Music (2007). Inspired by her German-Egyptian heritage, Merit draws on Arabic and Western classical contemporary influences in her music. She is particularly interested in exploring dialogue between people and musicians from different cultures.
Merit has performed with some of the UK's best Arabic musicians and, in addition to solo and freelance work, sings regularly with medieval group Joglaresa, classical Arabic Ensemble Al Farabi, her own Arabic/Jewish ensemble Jaljala, her duo Hjaz with pianist Alcyona Mick, contemporary modal group Troja Nova and as a guest singer with virtuouso string Trio Kosmos.
As a composer, Merit is very interested in contemporary vocal music, which she performs with her Soprano Quartet Tongue Stuff, who premiered her song cycle ‘Mirrors of Jasmin’ at the Warehouse in July 2007 and with the New London Chamber Choir, with whom she has sung at national and international festivals and recorded live for BBC Radio 3.
Solo appearances include the City of London Festival, York Early Music Festival, Buxton Festival, Lakeside Arts Festival, Nottingham and Simcha Festival at Trafalgar Square, St John’s Smith Square, the Vortex, the Spitz, St George’s Hall, Bristol, amongst others. Merit has performed in front of the Syrian and Palestinian Ambassadors and future engagements include Brighton Early Music Festival, St Ethelburga’s Centre for Peace and Reconciliation and the Lebanese Church of London, Pimlico.
As a workshop leader and creative artist Merit has worked for organisations such as Philharmonia Orchestra, Britten Sinfonia, Guildhall Connect and Opera North: Currently she works for the Helen Bamber Foundation (a UK based human rights organisation for refugees and asylum seekers), runs a choir for disabled teenagers in North London and leads a Sing-Up Project for Iqra, an Islamic School in Slough. Merit is a trainer for the Trinity/Guildhall KS2 Teacher Training Programme and teaches outreach skills to undergraduate students at the Royal College of Music.
Stephanos sang ... with a clear and resounding heart, producing an utterly compelling performance. (Vortex Jazz Club Reviews, December 2008)
In the magicalities of a could, Between the probabilities of a would, Beyond the trivialities of a should, In these ungraspable mysticalities There lies a secret a passage… To this extraordinary wood.
But for you, it unfolds easily and true And the only thing you have to do Is press play, and you’ll have a view.
Recording, mixing, mastering, production and songwriting. Only £20 per hour and even less if you block-book. Really great equipment and experienced staff.
Let us present a little comment, That in this very particular moment, Presents happiness for lack of rejection That turned into invisible connection Of ThiSpace and ThaTime friends One so sturdy, that it never ends, And a little video it sends...
Don't miss... DUB COLOSSUS “IN A TOWN CALLED ADDIS” Wednesday 8 JULY Dingwalls Camden Lock "as if Lee Scratch Perry were producing Ethiopiques" FT 12-piece band featuring musicians direct from Ethiopia www.dingwalls.com
hey The Carioca family is welcoming you to the new interactive Jam session this Tuesday 28th at 93 feet east, Briklane, 8-10,30pm free! hope you can make it!
Hey Merit, Hope all is going well! Please come down soon to Toulouse Lautrec - a great vibe and lovely wines too! I am there playing and jammin' with friends Monday and Friday, 8 till Midnight.
Hey Merit...how are you!! Long time no see...may be we could meet up for a coffe sometime...or at one of your gigs or in my events?...this one is quite special...Venezuelan singer and cuatro player Luzmira joins forces with virtuoso harpist Kike Pedersen(who has collaborated with Yasmin Levy's last album) and versatile percussionist Jack Yglesias. A big hug to you, E.
dearest Merit! thank you! glad you like the films! and i like your now very arabic styl of singing - good girl! i want to come to London soon. lets see, possibly this month. I ll give you a ring if i do. big hug to you.xx
