Akram Haddad is an accomplished composer, orchestrator, educator, and versatile musician, renowned for his commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of Arabic music and culture throughout his career.
His work, encompassing compositions, arrangements, and performances, reflects the rich musical heritage of the Middle East and highlights the collaborative potential between Middle Eastern music, Western music, and various folk traditions, creating a global dialogue through music.
Haddad's extensive body of work has made a significant impact in the realms of composition and arranging, earning him accolades such as the Palest'In & Out 2016 award for Best Music Composition. His repertoire spans feature films, television, video games, theater, choir, and other media. Notably, he orchestrated the music for Ubisoft Bordeaux's video game "Assassin's Creed Mirage" (October 2023) and composed music for the feature film "Yes Repeat No," directed by Michael Dahan. In 2022, he created the album "The Middle East" for Universal Studios Library Music. Additionally, he releases original meditation music on Spotify under the project names Nairuz, Nayat, and Healing Echoes Project, which have collectively garnered millions of streams since 2021. His arrangement of the “Arabic Medley” was performed by the renowned Firdaus Orchestra at the Dubai Expo 2020.
Haddad's deep connection to choral music is also noteworthy. For over a decade, he has served as the resident composer for the "Al-Ba’ath” choir from Galili, crafting music that has resonated with audiences. He composed "Psalm 121," which has been performed by choirs worldwide, including the Zamir Choir of Boston, "Actor Core" in New York City, and "Vokalquintett Berlin" in Berlin.
His contributions to theater and children's theater, including the pantomime production "Rijal Fe Alshams," have received international acclaim. As the Artistic Director of the "Al Midan Theater" in Haifa, he has contributed his musical talents to over 15 theatrical productions. He has collaborated with dance groups and individual dancers, including the notable "Sahar Damoni" performance at Suzan Dalal in Tel Aviv. In 2020, he composed and orchestrated the ambitious theatrical concert "El Maestro" in Israel, featuring more than 40 participants, including musicians and actors, showcasing his versatility and creativity in theater.
As a performer, Haddad's piano artistry has been featured at numerous concerts, festivals, and events both locally and internationally. He is also an accomplished conductor, leading various ensembles and orchestras in performances of his own works as well as other compositions.
In his role as an educator, Haddad has shared his musical expertise at various institutions in Israel and the United States. Currently, he is a faculty member at Berklee College of Music, teaching courses in the Screen Scoring department, including Composition and Orchestration for Media Composers and Introduction to Scoring Technology for Media Composers. He also instructs at the New England Conservatory, leading the World Music Ensemble for the Contemporary Musical Arts department and lecturing on Contemporary Arabic Music Traditions. Additionally, he teaches at Brandeis University, where he offers courses on "Middle Eastern Arabic Music Traditions" and "Journey to World Music" in the BOLLI program. His teaching experience includes being an Artist in Residence at Tufts University as well as faculty positions at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance, Ono College, and Haifa University.
Haddad's musical journey began with classical piano studies at the Robin Conservatory in Haifa, igniting his passion for music. He is an alumnus of several prestigious institutions, including the New England Conservatory, the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance, and Haifa University. He holds both a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Music Composition from the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance and has further refined his skills with a Graduate Diploma in Contemporary Improvisation in Piano Performance from the New England Conservatory, where he was honored with the Peter Lyman Row Global Musicianship Award upon graduation.
Now residing in Boston, Massachusetts, Akram Haddad lives with his wife and son.
