Maya Youssef
About Maya
Hailed as ‘The queen of the qanun’, Maya Youssef is a globally renowned and award-winning qanun player and composer from Syria. Born in Damascus, as a result of the war in her home country Maya arrived in the UK in 2012 under the UK Government’s Tier 1 visa scheme, endorsed by Arts Council England as an Exceptional Talent. Since then, Maya has pushed the boundaries of the qanun , releasing two albums to great acclaim, Syrian Dreams - a prayer for peace in 2018, and 2022's multi-award winning Finding Home. Maya has performed at the South Bank, BBC Proms, Royal Albert Hall, The Barbican, Shakespeare’s Globe and WOMAD Festival, and around the world.
New Paths to Old Worlds
In 2027 Maya will record and release her third album, provisionally titled New Paths To Old Worlds. The album is Maya's exploration of, and love letter to, Britain and Ireland, where she has found home. Produced by Mike McGoldrick and featuring an array of exceptional collaborating musicians from all parts of UK and Ireland, the live work for large ensemble will premiere with at Liverpool Arab Arts Festival in July 2027, and tour to Cardiff Music City Festival, Belfast International Arts Festival, EFG London Jazz Festival, Celtic Connections, Manchester Folk Festival, and Norfolk and Norwich Festival in May 2028.
Proposals
We welcome festival proposals for New Paths to Old Worlds from further afield for both the large ensemble, and beyond May 2028 for a smaller ensemble touring version for venues and festivals. We also welcome proposals for the Finding Home quartet, and for commissions, and recordings.