Rocking the air guitar? Not actually playing music. Drumming on every surface in sight? Close, but no cigar. If you're into that sort of thing, though, why not try to actual learn how to make music? It's not for everyone – it takes talent and perseverance – but it's incredibly rewarding. The Middle East and North Africa region has no shortage of institutes teaching music, whether it's playing an instrument or learning electronic production. Whether you're planning on doing this professionally or as a hobby, we've compiled a list of several institutes that will help you reach your goal. We've also decided to French it up by including some of the best schools teaching music in French.
Morocco
Located in Casablanca, Coda's world class campus is purpose built for teaching music, their extensive facilities are pictured on their Facebook account. Visiting professors alongside high caliber teaching staff demonstrate both theoretical and practical learning, and will work with you in groups as well as one-on-one throughout your stay. Casabalanca is a vibrant coastal city, and has a thriving expat community. Nightlife and entertainment involve regular club nights, underground parties, plus traditional and folkloric shows. You will never find yourself bored, and with the very colourful student body studying at Coda you can be sure you will find good company. The school teaches a number of disciplines – a wide range of classical and contemporary instruments, singing, studio production/engineering for music, TV, radio, and cinema. You can also enrol your kids for separate courses or summer camp. Note: Most courses are taught in French.
Phone: +212 (0) 522 993 974
Website: click here.
Art & Roll
Also located in Casablanca, Art & Roll is not just a music school; graffiti drawing, dancing, and other subjects are taught. Art & Roll's Facebook page hints at a multitude of styles, afro-gnawa/jazz fusion events, classical music, and naturally rock and roll. They offer a one-year program, ending with a public concert to get students accustomed to stage performance. They use an online program to monitor their students' progress, and they hold intensive seminars for two to three days every other month. Note: Most courses are taught in French.
Phone: +212 522 394 822, +212 661 445 292
Email: art3roll@gmail.com
Website: click here.
The Ministry of Culture Conservatories
Located in different cities around Morocco – including Marrakech, Casablanca, Rabat, and Fez – each conservatory specialises in several disciplines with some exclusive teaching certain disciplines like Andalusian music, Berber music, and several traditional instruments alongside Western instruments. Conservatories in Morocco are not in the best shape, though, and the only one worth mentioning would be the new Conservatory of Marrakech. The others are not up to international standards, with some located in basements, even morgues! Still, if you want to learn Andalusian music, or traditional gnawa and Berber music, your best bet would be either locate a private tutor or attend one of the many conservatories. Note: Courses are taught in French and Arabic.
Website: click here.
Lebanon
LeBAM
The Lebanese Band Association for the Promotion of Music (LeBAM) is a non-profit organisation, non-political and non-religious-based, incorporated in March 2008 to establish and manage a community-based nationwide band music program. They teach woodwind instruments, brass instruments, and percussion. At the heart of the institution lies the National Harmonic Band and the National Jazz Program. They have several branches located around the country in Beit Mary, Baskinta, Baakline, and Tripoli.
Phone: +961 3 737821
Website click here.
DJ LAB
This is not a full music program; the DJ LAB is concerned with two things: DJing and electronic production. Whether you feel like you need to brush up on your mixing and mastering skills, or are still learning from scratch, this is the place for you. DJing courses range from basic to sampling and scratching. Located in the beautiful town of Kaslik in the Keserwan district of Mount Lebanon, you will get a chance to withdraw from the hustle and bustle of your everyday life and focus on your passion.
Phone: +961 9 219 002
Mobile: +961 71 799 002
Website: click here.
The Music Home
Another Lebanese production school, The Music Home is located in Beirut for those of you looking for the social aspects of living abroad. Mainly concerned with music production, these guys won't let you go home until you are able to come up with pieces from start to finish - including mixing and mastering - with quality good enough for distribution. The course lasts for 24 weeks, perfect for those of you wishing to take a semester off and focus on creating music.
Phone: 00961 3 911087
Email: info@themusichome.com
Website: click here.
Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK)
Founded by the Lebanese Maronite Order in 1938, USEK has an entire faculty dedicated for music. The first musical institute in any Middle Eastern university, the faculty of music in USEK offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs. It is one fo the best in the region and, for people wishing to undergo studying music as their main academic vocation, USEK is highly recommended.
Phone: (+961) 9 600 000
Website: click here.
Lebanese Higher Conservatory of Music
Lebanon's leading higher conservatory teaches different disciplines in music. Whether it's classical or contemporary music you're after, you will find it here. Founded in the 1920s, it was one of the region's leading musical conservatories with more than 5,000 students and 14 branches across Lebanon, in Beirut, Jounieh, Dhour-el-Choueir, Ain-Saadeh, Zahle, Saida, Aley, Baakline, Batroun, Tripoli, Choueifat, and a new branch opening in Zghorta in 2016. This institution is one of the leading governmental musical institutes of the region.
Phone: 01-489530/1/2/3.
Email: info@conservatory.gov.lb
Website: click here.
Egypt
Founded by two of the country's best electronic music producers/performers - who also teach some of the classes - Epic 101 is one of the best places to learn electronic music production in the country. You will be exposed to and taught classes by some of the country's best acts, including Hussien El Sherbini, Ismail Hosny, Mahmoud Shiha, and Hazem El Beltagui. Epic doesn't stop at music, either, with courses in 3D projection mapping and live visuals available.
Phone: 0100 606 6944
Email: info@epic101studios.com,
Website: click here.
Cairo Music Centre (Royal Academy of Music)
Founded in 1989 by Dr Mohamed El-Tobgy, the local representative of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM), the Cairo Music Centre teaches over 35 instruments, music theory, jazz, singing, and practical musicianship, with certificates from ABRSM, UK.
Phone: (02)22667544 / (02)22668649 / 01206777788 / 01068338814
Email: cairomusiccenter@yahoo.com
Website: click here.
American University in Cairo Music Program (AUC)
The AUC music program teaches students both Arab and Western music, music theory, literature, and performance, as well as music technology and electronic production. The AUC is well known for its vibrant student community and its rich academic life; enrolling in the AUC's music program ensures that you will be exposed to some of the country's best educators.
Phone: 20226154040
Email: enrolauc@aucegypt.edu
Website: click here.
Faculty of Music Education, Helwan University "Free Studies Department (Radiation Center)" Zamalek
The free studies department in Helwan University's Faculty of Music Education offers free programs to students, teaching an array of instruments, singing, and music theory. It also has a special needs program, and is located in the affluent neighbourhood of Zamalek.
Phone: 027352010
Saudi Arabia
SAE Jeddah
The teaching of music is outlawed in public institutes within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. SAE is here to the rescue, though, with a fully functional campus available in Jeddah. Still, SAE only offers audio engineering degrees, with one year, two year, and bachelor programs available.
Phone: +9200-20-SAE (723), +966 (56) 796 4400
Email: info@saejeddah.com
Website: click here.
UAE
New York University Abu Dhabi
The NYU in Abu Dhabi offers programs in music practice, musicology, music theory, and music technology. One of the best universities in the world, NYU offers the full package – state of the art technology, some of the best academics in the world, and a rich student life that will bring you closer to some of the industry's regional future leaders.
Phone: +971 2-628-4000
Email: nyuad@nyu.edu
Website: click here.
SAE Dubai
Unlike SAE in Jeddah, Dubai SAE offers an audio engineering bachelors degree, DJ courses, and electronic production courses. It is one of the leading institutes in the UAE and is frequented by students from all over the world.
Phone: +971-(04) 361 61 73
Email: hello@saedubai.com
Website: click here.
Jordan
SAE Amman
SAE in Amman offers programs in audio engineering, electronic music production, and a pro tools certification program. Amman is filled to the brim with musical talent and has a budding but vibrant nightlife/entertainment scene, as well as an ever expanding expat community.
Website: click here.
King Hussein Foundation
This foundation includes in its structure the National Conservatory, which offers programs in contemporary and classical musical training. Founded under the auspices of his H.H King Hussein and Noor Foundation of H.H Queen Noor, it is the leading premier music institute in Jordan, with aims to further integrate music into Jordan's cultural thread. It has graduated thousands of students and has launched several initiatives, including the Amman Symphony Orchestra.
Phone: +962 6560 7460
Email: khf-nhf@khf.org.jo
Website click here.
Algeria
Institut National Superieur de Musique d'Algerie
One of the leading music institutes in Algeria, it teaches full time academic music programs in different disciplines, and is one of Algeria's leading musical institutions. You will be learning under the guidance of some of Algeria's best academic musicians. Note: Most courses taught in French.
Phone: +021738957
Email: insm.alger@gmail.com
Website: Facebook.
