A remarkable evening at The Broad Stage in Santa Monica blended the richness of Arab heritage with masterpieces of Western classical music:
The Multi-Ethnic Star Orchestra (MESTO) presented an exceptional musical concert at The Broad Stage in Santa Monica, California, on Saturday, September 12, 2026.
Led by MESTO’s founder and music director, Maestro Dr. Nabil Azzam, the concert featured an outstanding lineup of artists and musicians, headlined by Egyptian star Yasmine Ali, who captivated the audience with her golden, powerful voice and elegant stage presence.
Presented under the theme “Talented Women in Music,” the concert also featured guest conductor Dr. Joanna Medawar Nachef, vocalists Maurice Raad and Anna-Suzette, entertainer Bill Ballerini, and flutist Laura Halladay, alongside the accomplished musicians of the MESTO Orchestra.
A Musical Journey Between East and West:
The orchestra presented a rich and diverse program combining celebrated Arabic compositions with international classical masterpieces, reflecting MESTO’s mission of building cultural connections through music.
The program opened with “El Amh” (The Wheat Tune), composed by legendary Egyptian musician Mohamed Abdel Wahab and orchestrated by David Martinelli. This was followed by Abdel Wahab’s celebrated composition “Nibtidi Mnayn El Hikaya,” orchestrated by David Martinelli and Nabil Azzam.
The orchestra also performed the first movement of Mozart’s Symphony No. 40, conducted by Dr. Joanna Medawar Nachef, as well as “Maribel,” a composition by Nabil Azzam dedicated to Dr. Maribel Khoury El-Shaar.
Multi-talented vocalist Anna-Suzette performed “Sway,” in a special arrangement for MESTO by John Graves, while Lebanese singer Maurice Raad presented “Y Viva España,” featuring Arabic lyrics by the legendary Rahbani Brothers.
Bill Ballerini brought an element of joy and surprise to the evening with his solo performance of “Those Were the Days,” also specially arranged for MESTO by John Graves.
The program additionally featured “Golden Tempo,” a composition by Dr. Nabil Azzam inspired by the winning horse of the renowned Kentucky race, as well as the third movement of Azzam’s “Summer Suite,” featuring Laura Halladay as flute soloist.
MESTO also performed Dmitri Shostakovich’s celebrated “Waltz No. 2.”
Arabic music held a prominent place in the program through performances of Farid Al-Atrash’s classics “Layali Al-Uns” and “Addi El-Rabie,” arranged by Nabil Azzam, who also performed the violin solo. Special guest orchestra member Maysa Yanaki participated in the performance.
The first half concluded with “Al-Bumbutiyya,” Egyptian folkloric music inspired by the coastal heritage of Port Said, Suez, and Ismailia. Originally arranged by Ali Ismail and orchestrated for MESTO by Nabil Azzam, the performance brought the vibrant rhythms and spirit of Egypt’s maritime communities to the Santa Monica stage.
Yasmine Ali Captivates the Audience with Her Golden Voice:
Following the intermission, Egyptian star Yasmine Ali took the stage and presented a selection of songs that showcased the exceptional power, richness, and versatility of her voice.
Her commanding performance demonstrated her ability to move effortlessly between classical Arabic music and traditional repertoire while maintaining a refined and deeply emotional stage presence.
Yasmine Ali is regarded as one of Egypt’s most distinguished contemporary voices. She began singing at an early age and formally studied Arabic music in Alexandria before performing at the Cairo Opera House and appearing in several television and theatrical productions.
She reached a worldwide audience through her widely viewed unaccompanied performance of “Ni’abil Nas Nifari’ Nas,” which introduced millions of listeners to her powerful voice and distinctive dramatic presence.
Her collaboration with MESTO began after Maestro Nabil Azzam heard her interpretation of the Egyptian folk song “Na’na’ El Ginena.” Impressed by her energy and artistic character, he envisioned a full orchestral arrangement and invited her to perform with MESTO.
Twenty-Five Years of Celebrating Music and Cultural Diversity:
In his welcome message, Maestro Dr. Nabil Azzam praised the orchestra’s musicians for their dedication and mastery of non-Western musical traditions, emphasizing that their commitment gives MESTO its distinctive artistic identity.
Azzam highlighted the orchestra’s unique ability to present music from Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Bulgaria, Romania, Armenia, Iran, and Greece alongside the Western classical repertoire.
This remarkable blend of cultures has become central to MESTO’s artistic vision and its mission of presenting music as a living expression of heritage, identity, and community.
Founded by Dr. Nabil Azzam in 2001, MESTO has spent a quarter of a century representing America’s cultural and musical diversity on national and international stages.
The orchestra has performed at prestigious venues and festivals, including the Cairo Opera House, Alexandria, Abu Dhabi, the Jerash Festival in Jordan, Amman, and Muscat. Its international performances have earned widespread praise and introduced its unique work to audiences across the Middle East through satellite television broadcasts.
MESTO has released four albums and numerous videos, collaborated with composers and artists from diverse cultural backgrounds, and premiered dozens of works written especially for the orchestra.
Its original arrangements are distinguished by their combination of Western orchestral instruments and traditional ethnic instruments, including the oud, qanun, mandolin, santur, and Middle Eastern percussion. This creative fusion gives MESTO a musical identity unlike that of any traditional symphony orchestra.
Maestro Nabil Azzam’s Distinguished Musical Career:
Dr. Nabil Azzam is one of the most prominent Arab musicians working in the United States. He is a violinist, oud player, composer, musicologist, and ethnomusicologist who earned his Ph.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 1990.
He represents Palestine at the Arab Academy of Music of the Arab League and is a member of music organizations around the world.
As an advocate for peace and harmony, Azzam owns and performs with the “Peace Violin,” which bears the signatures of former U.S. President Bill Clinton, the late Palestinian President Yasser Arafat, and Mrs. Rabin.
The legendary Egyptian composer Mohamed Abdel Wahab composed a special piece for Azzam for violin and orchestra.
In 2016, Azzam received the prestigious Medal for Culture, Science, and Arts. He was also honored at the Cairo Opera House and received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Arab-American Friends of Nazareth.
A Distinguished Lineup of Guest Artists:
The concert featured Dr. Joanna Medawar Nachef, recognized as the first female conductor from the Middle East. Born in Beirut, Lebanon, she moved to Los Angeles in 1976 and earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Southern California.
Dr. Nachef is Professor Emeritus and former Director of Choral and Orchestral Activities at El Camino College, where she served for 30 years. She has conducted prominent ensembles internationally and appeared at Carnegie Hall seven times. She is scheduled to make her eighth appearance there in May 2027, conducting Mozart’s “Requiem.”
Lebanese singer Maurice Raad, known for his powerful voice and an international career spanning several decades, also participated in the concert. Raad has performed internationally since 1988 and has built a worldwide following.
The evening also featured Anna-Suzette, whose musical background includes opera, musical theater, pop, rock, country, and classical music; Bill Ballerini, who made his solo debut; and flutist, pianist, and composer Laura Halladay, whose extensive career includes international performances and recordings for film, television, and video game soundtracks.
Appreciation for MESTO’s Supporters:
At the conclusion of the program booklet, MESTO extended its appreciation to Dr. Kathleen Hood, the organization’s grant writer and editor of the program book, as well as several media professionals and supporters.
Those recognized included Fatmeh Atiyyah of Al Enteshar Newspaper, Azmi Hanna of Orthodox News, Wael Loutfalla, graphic designer and Editor-in-Chief of Charisma Newspaper, and Samer Saba of Al Akhbar Newspaper.
MESTO also thanked its volunteers and St. Andrews Lutheran Church for their continued assistance and support.
The concert was presented with support from the Arab Center Washington DC and The Raymond Jallow Foundation.
The audience enjoyed an elegant and memorable evening that demonstrated the universal power of music to unite communities, celebrate cultural diversity, and preserve the world’s rich musical heritage.
