Wajdi Samir Abou Diab, a Lebanese composer, musicologist, and educator from the Middle East, draws inspiration from his dual cultural background in Arabic Levantine and Western classical music. Born in Lebanon in 1991, he graduated from the Lebanese National Higher Conservatory of Music (LNHCM) with diplomas in Piano and Music Composition. He studied with Elia Koussa and Joelle Khoury for composition, Jad Riashi for harmony, Jamal Boul-Hosn for electronic music, Sevag Derghougassian and Janna Popkova for Piano, and Irina-Elena Balanota for Bassoon. Additionally, Wajdi is an alumnus of VIPA in València, Spain (2024), SÄVELLYSPAJA in Provoo and Helsinki, Finland (2024), EAMA in Paris, France (2023), Re.Music Academy in Moscow, Russia (2023), Plucomp in French Compte, France (2023), Puccini International Opera course in Lucca, Italy (2021), and YES Academy in Lebanon (2019-2021). Wajdi graduated with a Master’s degree in Musicology from Antonin University under the supervision of Professor Nidaa Bou Mrad.

He has received recognition from the international music community through various accolades, including winning first prize in the 2022 Emerging Composer Competition by Rising Tide Press and the International Women Brass Conference for his composition “Folk Story” (Brass quintet). He also won the BEST CLASSICAL MUSIC VIDEO Award at the Euro Music Video Festival 2023 for his music video “Al Awfar Dance” (solo violin). Additionally, he has received special mentions from The Gaetano Giani Luporini prize and the American Viola Society’s Gardner Music Composition Competition for his works “The Dream” (chamber opera) and “Al Mouraba’ Dance” (solo viola) respectively. He has also received honorable mentions and special prizes from platforms such as the LIMF Composition Competition and the Cergy Pontoise orchestra-studio. His work has been selected for various CALLS FOR SCORES including those from “Deterritorializing the Realm of New Music”, “Ri Ra”, Cypress concert band call for score, and David Bohn’s and Talla Rouge’s 15 Minutes of Fame. His residency programs with the CCF and UNESCO, as part of the NAFAS-ACCR program, have provided opportunities for month-long residencies at Cite Musicale De Metz (March 2022) and Cite Musicale De L’abbaye Aux Dames De Sainte (April 2022), enriching his musical experience in France and benefiting his music career.

Wajdi’s talent as an Arranger/Orchestrator shines brightly as he bridges the gap between Arabic music and non-Arabic musicians and audiences, blending Western and Oriental influences to create a unique musical fusion. His arrangements pay tribute to some of the most iconic musicians of the Arab world, such as Zaki Nassif, Wadih El Safi, Om Kolthoum, Abed El Wahab, Rahbani Brother, and Feyrouz, among others. His piano books, including “ARABIC FOLK TUNES,” “LONGA AND SAMA’I,” and “Wadeeh El Safi – the Songwriter,” are invaluable resources designed to introduce pianists and classical musicians to the rich tapestry of Arabic music. Furthermore, his orchestral arrangements of Arabic folk tunes, popular and classical songs, as well as traditional and classical Arabic instrumental music, have been showcased in performances both within Arabic-speaking countries and beyond, captivating diverse audiences with the beauty and complexity of the Arab musical tradition.

The passion and dedication Wajdi brings to his role as an Artistic Director and Conductor are evident in his commitment to excellence in music performance and education. By establishing and overseeing ensembles such as the Beirut Contemporary Ensemble, Choueifat Band and Choir (CBCLEB), and Orchestra Al Mokhaym, he has created platforms for musicians of all levels to explore a diverse range of musical genres and repertoire, from classical to contemporary, Arabic Folks, World Music, and film music.

Through his extensive experience as a music educator at the Lebanese Higher Conservatory of Music and various schools like Bahrain Bayan, Hariri, and Tahaddi schools, Wajdi has honed his teaching skills and developed innovative pedagogical approaches that integrate traditional and folk music into his curriculum. His dedication to music education is further exemplified by his initiatives such as FREE MUSIC EDUCATION FOR ALL and THE LEBANESE LIVING COMPOSER’S CHANEL, which aim to provide accessible music education opportunities and support to young musicians in society.

Wajdi’s unwavering belief in the transformative power of music has earned him recognition and support from prestigious organizations such as AFAC, FREEMUSE, Cultural Resources, Goethe Institute, CPML, CCF, and others. Through his advocacy for music education and his initiatives to empower young musicians to contribute positively to society through music, Wajdi has become a influential figure in the cultural and artistic landscape, championing the importance of music as a tool for social change and expression.

Wajdi firmly believes in collaboration, leveraging his experiences as an opportunity to learn and share his experiences. He has collaborated on long-term projects with international groups, organizations, and artists, such as International Contemporary Ensemble, the Lebanese Philharmonic Orchestra, the Lebanese Oriental Orchestra, the Talla Rouge duo, the Austrasia Quartet, the Taipei Civic Symphony Orchestra, Tunisia 88 Honors Choir, the White Snake Project, Music For Identity, The San Jose Lullaby Project, Forum für Kunst-und Kulturgeschichte Transnational, choreographer and performer “Preeti Vasudevan”, Oudist Abbass Kassamany, pianist Kaiyin Huang, Violist Noemie Chemali, Pianist Ramzi Hakim, Violinist Ann Vedi, trumpetist Vasilis Nalbantis, French Horn player Louis Verchere, pianist Ramzi Hakim, Pianist Seba Ali, French horn player Amr Selim, among others. Wajdi’s collaboration also includes long-term participation in the World Music Conference (international, based in the UK) as a music ambassador for his country Lebanon.
Wajdi is a proud member of many musical organizations, including the ACAN network, the MILLENNIUM COMPOSERS INITIATIVE (MCI), the Boston new music initiative (BNMI), and the SMCPL.