Dr. Rashed Juma- ‘Playing from the heart…’

 ‘Music is an important part of life, without it there are only notes no harmony’. Dr. Rashed Juma discovered this at an early age, as music was an everyday part of his family life. His late father would play the Oud (Middle-Eastern Lute) and sing traditional folk songs for anyone who shared the passion of music. Juma taught himself to play the traditional strings of the Oud at the age of eight, and by the age of 10 he taught himself to play what he passionately loves - the Violin. Through motivation and a true love for music, Juma exposed himself to various musicians and live music while growing up to acquire what he has gained today - pure musical talent. At the age of 14 Juma join the music in kuwait where he obtained his music diploma, followed by another four years at the higher institute for musical education. where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Musical Performance of Violin Playing in 1989.

Juma is very talented and respectable musician. His experience of teaching and performing music in the Middle East as well as abroad and re-arranging some of the Traditional Arab Music retertoire. Juma performances in embassies and concert halls in places as far as South Africa,  America and Europe. Juma has come to be highly appreciated through his natural talents; his music stirs emotions and awaken our senses. An ingenuity in composing Middle Eastern Pieces as well as classical pieces by incorporating a unique mix in his violin performances .

I was also lucky to study the violin between 1989 to 1992 with the highly acclaimed and respected Professor Michael Frischenshclager says Juma, where he earn his music diploma from The Musik Hochschulle in Vienna, Austria. After that , he went on to Portland Oregon, to gain a ‘Master of Arts in Teaching Music’ at Portland State University in 1995. In Oregon he was privileged to study under the tutelage of Professor Carol Cindell a former student of the World-renowned Classical Violinist, Jascha Heifetz. Followed by earning his Doctorate of Musical Arts in violin Performance degree at the university of Miami, Florida studying with the concertmaster of Naples Philharmonic Orchestra Professor Glenn Basham.

Juma is currently putting his final touches to his upcoming debut album where he focuses on instrumental parts of music to give his listeners another view into the world of music.