Dubai's Culture and Arts Authority, Dubai Culture, has concluded the first edition of the 'Music Education for Emiratis' programme, organised in partnership with the National Youth Orchestra – Dubai, with the aim of discovering musical talent, developing participants' abilities, and enabling them to pursue their artistic careers and realise their future ambitions.
This aligns with the Authority's responsibilities and sectoral priorities, which are directed at enhancing the vitality of the music sector, supporting its growth, and cementing Dubai's standing as a global centre for culture, an incubator for creativity, and a meeting point for talent.
The programme, which falls under the 'Dubai Cultural Grant' umbrella, attracted 20 Emirati students who participated over a full academic year in a series of training workshops, lectures, and specialised educational lessons covering orchestral performance, ensemble playing, and solo instrumental performance. The students successfully completed 1,850 training hours, equivalent to 92 hours per student.
The programme was supervised by 5 professional international musicians and trainers specialising in violin, cello, woodwind instruments, piano, and singing. This afforded participants a distinctive educational experience combining theoretical training with practical application, helping to hone their skills and build their self-confidence, opening new horizons for the development of their creative work and inspiring them to produce distinguished pieces that highlight the uniqueness of Dubai's cultural identity.
Shaimaa Rashid Al Suwaidi, Executive Director of the Arts, Design and Literature Sector at Dubai Culture, noted that the programme represents a qualitative pathway for supplying the music sector with young talent that contributes to its advancement and strengthens its presence as one of the pillars of the cultural and creative industries.
She said: "The programme embodies the Authority's commitment to empowering emerging talents and honing their abilities by providing learning opportunities and openness to global experiences, which are fundamental elements in developing a vibrant musical ecosystem capable of keeping pace with rapid transformations.
It also reflects the Authority's efforts to provide a stimulating environment capable of preparing a generation of Emirati musicians equipped with skills and experience that enrich local artistic activity and enable them to compete on the international stage."
Amira Fouad, Executive Director and Artistic Director of the National Youth Orchestra – Dubai, said: "The idea of establishing the National Youth Orchestra – Dubai sprang from our belief in the importance of music and its role in building bridges between communities, which is embodied in the 'Music Education for Emiratis' programme — an inspiring platform for the discovery of musical talent."