Karim Nagi is an articulate & joyful public speaker who often incorporates music into his speeches. He is a TEDx Speaker, a Nationally Accredited TAC Teaching Artist for Young Audiences Arts for Learning, and a Kennedy Center TAP Teaching Artist. His many lecture venues include Yale, Stanford, Brown, NYU & Princeton Universities. He was a panelist in SXSW Arab Culture Panel, and the Arab American Museum Diwan Conference. He is a two time beneficiary of the Doris Duke Building Bridges grant for Muslim artists. He is currently serving a second term on the Board of Directors of Chamber Music America. College, University, Conservatory, Academy, Conference & Public lecture durations are flexible, ranging from 30 to 120 min.
Arab Culture : OVERVIEW OF THE MISUNDERSTOOD
The term Arab refers to an ethnic and/or language group within a geographical area comprised of over 20 countries. There are Christian, Muslim, Jewish and tribal roots in this region. From Algebra to the Arab Spring, the Arab world has always been relevant to the West. How do we define Arab, and how can one understand them through their cultural and artistic output? Karim Nagi uses music, dance, language and costume examples to introduce audiences to Arab culture, its unity and dicersity.
Arab Arts vs. Stereotyping & Islamophobia :
MULTIMEDIA LECTURE & CONCERT
This presentation includes Karim Nagi's research & career demonstrating how familiarity between cultural groups reduces racism. His outreach campaign teaching Arab music & dance in public schools and communities seeks to improve relations among those groups, and dispel stereotypes. ACLU data & Gallup polls are projected in multimedia, along with supporting quotes and videos. This presentation also includes musical performances on Arab instruments : Egyptain tablah, riqq and buzuq plus singing Baladi TukTuk & Oriental Magic Carpet from his album Detour Guide.
Percussion NOT Politics :
AN ALTERNATIVE TO MEDIA PORTRAYAL
An American's impression and assessment of Arab and Muslim character is heavily, if not exclusively, determined by Media coverage. In the post 9/11 era, the Arab and Muslim are easily perceived as antagonists. During the Arab Spring, the Arab world is consistently shown as radical, disorganized, and dangerous. What are the other information sources available to learn about Arabs and Muslims on a human level? Karim Nagi speaks extensively about his work visiting over 150 schools across America, and his concert and outreach work, where he demonstrates and teaches the Arab cultural arts.
Teacher Training :
ARABS, MUSLIMS : DIVERSITY AWARENESS, EQUITY & INCLUSION
This session allows for educators to interact directly with Mr. Nagi. He will present to them an overview of traditional Arts from the Arab & Muslim world, and demonstrate how these arts can be used to better understand the people of this region, and their immigrants to the USA. Educators will be able to engage in performance examples, as well as ask questions and discuss techniques.
Percussion Master Class :
ARAB RHYTHM AND DRUMMING FOR MUSIC STUDENTS
Percussion students will learn the principles of Arabic percussion and the Iqaat system. Students may use any available percussion instrument, including African, Latin, Middle Easterm, and Western drums. Students will learn the names and histories of prominent Arab Awzan rhythms. They will learn to vocalize the "Dum Iss Tak" phrases, and clap each phrase. Karim will demonstrate how to apply each rhythm to the available drum by designating the three needed sounds. He will conclude by teaching an ensemble composition that includes rhythms for all 5 regions of the Arab world, and solo improvisations.
Music Master Class :
ARAB MELODY & RHYTHM FOR MUSIC STUDENTS
Music majors, minors, as well as ethnomusicologists, will learn the principles of Arab music. Karim uses a lute, percussion and singing, to introduce the students to the modal and rhythmic systems of Maqam and Iqaa. A lecture format will allow students to follow with their voices and clapping. An ensemble format can allow instrumentalists and percussionists to apply the training to any instrument, Western or Eastern. Full cultural context and ethnographic background will be presented along with the repertoire.
Dance Master Class :
ARAB REGIONAL FOLK & COMMUNITY DANCE
Folk dance is the dance of regular people. It is enjoyed by folks of all sizes, ages, physical abilities, and shapes. You will find it in many settings where communities celebrate special occasions, or simply to enjoy the social moment. It is not necessary to be a professional dancer, nor to reserve the moment only for formal performances. It is everyones' dance. In addition to the Dabke, Saidi, and Sufi folk dances, a survey of other styles will be taught. This includes the "Shaabi" popular dance found in Morocco, where the infectious 6 beat rhythm is felt by aligning the feet with the syncopated beats. Also a collection of "Khaliji" gulf-style movements from around the Arabian peninsula will be engaged in, where the polyrhythmic drums create an undulating step, while the hands & hair complete the dance with energy & symbolism. For this survey, the drum is the main propulsion, helping all the steps be felt and absorbed.
Missing From The Census :
ARAB DIASPORA IN AMERICA
An Arab can come from one of over 20 countries. They could be current immigrants, or up to 4th generation American citizens. When, and how, do they identify as Arab versus a more specific national identity (such as Lebanese or Egyptian)? How comfortable do they feel in America compared to other ethnic and immigrant groups? Karim Nagi, from his own life, studies of diaspora behavior, and his extensive interaction with Arab communities across America, gives insight into the loves and aversions of this growing American minority.
How To Be A Muslim Arab Immigrant Artist in America :
5 PILLARS GUIDEBOOK
Karim Nagi speaks of his life, and how he uses the arts to fight prejudice, gain respect, and find a role in American culture. There is a delicate balance of identity politics, in a society with factions that bear suspicion & unease towards Muslims, Arabs, immigrants, and even artists. Nagi speaks not only about minority relations, but how to be successful despite these parameters. He has distilled his technique into an upbeat anecdotal demonstration. He stresses Entrepreneurship, Dignity, Clarity, Generosity, and Humor as the "5 Pillars Guidebook". His message can lucidly be extrapolated to other marginalized groups who seek to raise their status in American society.
Purists and Innovators : ARAB MUSIC IN AMERICA
Like any ethnic group in America, Arab-Americans actively perform music. Despite America's diversity and pluralism, and the Arab World's percieved homogeny and conservatism, innovation in music among Arabs is more widespread in the Arab world, while Arab-Americans tend to be traditionalists and purists. Why? Karim Nagi presents this phenomenon of diaspora. This paper was published in the anthology Etching Our Own Image: Voices from Within the Arab American Art Movement published by Cambridge Scholars Press, UK.
Lauren of Arabia :
AMERICAN PERFORMERS OF ARAB DANCE
Like in African, Latin, or Indian music and dance, there are many Americans who study and engross their entire life and identity in the Arab arts. What are their motivations, positive contributions, and how "authentic" are they? Moreover, how do native Arabs view these "ethnographers". Karim Nagi, a man who stands at the bridge between Arab and American dancer instruction, offers both analysis and "call to action". His goals are to encourage more native Arabs to train and dance professionally, and to support and give resources to the American dancers.ARABIC MELODY FOR MUSICIANS:All melodic acoustic instruments are welcome is this ensemble-style workshops. Students can bring any western or eastern wind, plucked string, or bowed instrument. Reading notation is not mandatory. Students will follow Mr. Nagi and learn how to play melodic scales and phrases of Arabic music. This class will guide the students through famous Arabic Maqam scales, decoration & ornamental playing, and Taqasim improvisation. It will develop their ears, and understanding of the Arabic style, all while using an instrument that they are already comfortable with.
ARABIC SINGING WORKSHOPStudents will learn how to sing in the Arabic style. This class will cover famous Maqam musical scales, vocal ornament, Arabic language pronunciation, layali and mawal & improvisation, and regional styles. Neither comprehension nor reading of Arabic language is mandatory. Famous song passages from Egypt, Lebanon, Kuwait and Morocco will be taught, helping the student develop regional styles. In addition to singers, this class is open to dancers, drummers, instrumentalist, and anyone who wants to be closer to the Arabic music and language.
ARABIC RHYTHM ENSEMBLEAll drummers are welcome. Students may bring any type of Arabic or World percussion drum, as long as the instrument can make at least 2 different sounds. Mr. Nagi will teach several famous Arabic rhythms. These rhythms will come from various regions of the Arab world, including Egypt, Iraq, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, and Syria. The students will later link the rhythms into a composition, that can be performed. This class will not only teach rhythm and style, but also how the drummers can function in a group, and create percussive songs together.
ARAB DRUMMING WORKSHOPSStudents may bring their Arabic Tabla, Dumbek, Darabuka, Riqq, Duff, Muzhar or Frame drum. Karim will teach multiple dynamic rhythms, emphasizing the Arab technique of double off-hand taks and running method. Students will learn how these rhythms propel specific dance styles from around the Arab world. Karim engages all levels from advanced beginner (someone with basic skills) to advanced intermediate. Every level will be adequately challenged and will benefit from the ensemble approach.- Class 1 FOUNDATIONAL (90 or 120 min) The essential sounds for both hands, repetition, essential rhythms.- Class 2 DEVELOPED (90 or 120 min) Advanced technique, rolls, alternative sounds, long rhythms, ornamentation- Class 3 AMBITIOUS (90 or 120 min) Advanced rhythms, solo phrases, improvisation theory, advanced ornamentation
RIQQ (ARAB TAMBOURINE)The "Riqq" tambourine is the lead percussion instrument in the Arabic orchestra and classical ensemble. It is played with the fingers on both the skin and the cymbals. The technique calls for three different holding possitions and techniques. In addition to Arabic music, these instruments are widely used in Turkish, Iranian, Balkan, Gypsy and Mediterranean music. Students will learn technique, stamina, rhythmic repertoire and various ethnic styles.- Class 1 FOUNDATIONAL (90 or 120 min) The essential sounds for open and closed method, repetition, essential rhythms.- Class 2 DEVELOPED (90 or 120 min) Advanced technique, rolls, alternative sounds, shaking, long rhythms, ornamentation- Class 3 AMBITIOUS (90 or 120 min) Advanced rhythms, solo phrases, improvisation theory, advanced ornamentation
