Layaleena Entertainment Boston | A whole kind of entertainment

Layaleena's Band Members
Aboud Ghazi Band Lead, Keyboardist & Principal Sound Engineer	Born on August 2, 1980 in Aleppo Syria. Aboud Ghazi has been in love with music since the age of 4, when he first started playing his little toy keyboards. That love slowly started morphing into an unmatched passion for Middle-eastern, Turkish, Greek, Armenian, and Latin music. Even after moving to the U.S. at the young age of 7, Aboud continued relentlessly listening, studying, and focusing on his love for that genre of music. At the age of 16, Aboud started his professional music career, heading on-stage with some of the most popular local middle-eastern bands in Boston at the time. Working 2-3 nights a week, at multiple restaurants and clubs as the youngest musician, Aboud built experiences and techniques at incredibly rapid speeds that were soon to be unleashed. By the age of 19, Aboud established himself as one of the most formidable keyboard players in the local industry, working for Layaleena Entertainment on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights. He soon after became the lead instrument on-stage, working with 5-6 musicians at any given night, and virtually all of New England’s local singers. But his versatility and technical abilities have also given him the reputation as being the only musician in New England capable of performing a “one-man” show, performing single-handedly at times, when necessary as well. Aboud is also educated, holding a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Systems Engineering, and is a certified Sound Systems Engineer, having taken some heavy-duty sound engineering courses throughout his college years. Ultimately it is his enthusiasm and motivation for bleeding-edge technology that has been the front-end for his, and the band’s success. With over 12 years of musical and engineering experience, Aboud has been leading the Layaleena band ferociously week to week for over 8 years. He also travels state to state, takes private functions, and has worked internationally on occasion as well. He has played at a number of notable events and singers over the last few years, including the Ms. Lebanon Beauty Pageants, Simon Hadchiti, Wadih Murad, and superstar finalist, Salah Kurdi as both a lead keyboardist, as well as a lead sound engineer. Today, Aboud’s main focus remains on his music and band. He drives without argue, the most talented middle-eastern musicians in the Boston area, and aims to keep harmony, unity, and a common goal between each individual. His leadership traits, compassion for his team, technology-driven skills, and pure love for all types of music genres continues to keep him as the region’s premier keyboardist. You may contact Aboud at aboud@layaleena.com

Jamal Sinno Kanoon & Vocals	Born in Lebanon, Sinno began studying the Qanun (Arabic Zither) with his father. In 1978, he joined the Lebanese National Conservatory and studied under master Qanun virtuoso Mohammad Sabsabi. In 1980 he joined the traditional ensemble of the Arab Cultural Center in Beirut under the direction of Salim Sahhab. He was the leading Qanun player for two years. In 1981 he moved to the USA and lived in Boston. He played in many events with local musicians as well as visiting famous singers such as Lebanese Elie Shwiry, George Wassouf, and the ‘Iraqi Kazem Al-Saher. In 1994, he joined the Near Eastern Music Ensemble. Today, Jamal has established himself as one of the most respected, and experienced musicians in the New England area. His presence and charisma on stage is unmatched by others. He has been working for Layaleena Entertainment for over 6 years, and provides guidance, technique, and musical feeling on any stage. His formidable vocal abilities naturally make him a mentor for most lead singers, male and female alike, to take after as well. Jamal Sinno's talents on his unique instrument continue to shine brightly, regardless of music style and genre, as he continues to remain an invaluable asset to Layeleena Entertainment in the Boston area.

Youssef Tabla, Riq, Kateem & American Drums	A Moroccan, born in the city of Kenitra, Youssef's childhood was steeped in music. His uncle was a professor of music and a master 'oud & Violin player. "Learning to play on the Violin from my uncle was the most powerful influence in my musical life". He began playing Violin and Percussion at the age of 10, and a year later studying violin at the Conservatory of Meknes At Age of 15 Youssef was the youngest musician on stage performing with famous Moroccan singers. In late 1997 Youssef had moved to Boston MA. He has been performing with local musiciens since then, playing the percussion ( Tabla, Riq, Kateem & American Drums ) He had performed in Festivals, Universities, wedding and much more events.

Marc Nehme International DJ Middle Eastern Musician - Katim	Marc officially started his career in the music entertainment industry back in 2000 when he discovered his strong interests for music, entertainment and technology. He had always been passionate in listening to hip hop and R&B music while also listening to legendary singers Um Kalthoum and Abd El Halim. Some of Marc’s favorite artists include the Notorious BIG, Akon and 50 Cent and Middle Eastern singers: Fadl Shaker, Ragheb Alame and Najwa Keram. As a college student majoring in Computer Science, Marc then started to utilize technology to his advantage in becoming an International DJ. While other DJs were still using turntables and CD players, he used lap-top computers. He is one of the first DJs who started using computer technology for music entertainment. Utilizing the top computer software products on the market, Marc was able to bring together American and Arabic songs with other international flavors such as Latin and Portugese music. Marc also has written and produced a full 12-track hip-hop album along with lead musician Aboud Ghazi. Marc wrote all of the lyrics and was the lead vocalist in all of the songs. Marc and Aboud collectively created custom drum beats from Aboud’s keyboard and Aboud created and performed all of the music, sound engineering and editing. In addition to speaking the Arabic language fluently, Marc is also a Middle Eastern musician and has been playing the katim, riq, and tabla percussion instruments live on stage in various locations in the New England area (and entire east coast) including Layaleena since 2003. This further portrays his strong passion and desire for Middle Eastern music. Off stage, he also plays the keyboard and American drums. Music is Marc’s time to relax and enjoy himself with his fellow musicians. He takes great pride in his performances as a musician/DJ and is currently is a member of the Layaleena band. In addition to his accomplishments in the music industry, Marc holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and currently works as a Software Engineer. Contact Marc Nehme at Marc@Layaleena.com

Walid Zairi "BASS & OUD "	Experienced Electric/Acoustic Bassist and Oud player into funk, West African music, North African grooves, straight ahead jazz and classical Arabic music. Born 1/1/79 in Tunis, Tunisia,now resides in Boston where he graduated in December 2007 from Berklee College Of Music with a degree in Music Business and Management. Very active in the Boston area as a Bassist and Oud player, Walid collaborated with a variety of bands/artists doing studio work/playing shows on oud , on bass, or on both depending on the occasions. Walid had been mostly associated with funky world music acts when playing the electric bass, classical Arabic chamber ensembles when playing the oud or the upright bass. Studied Arabic Music in the Conservatory of Tunis in Tunisia and started playing the Oud at age 9. Was also student of grand Master Ali Sriti (Anouar Brahem’s teacher/ECM records) in 1996. Walid has participated in numerous tours across the US, playing oud and or bass in major venues in cities like Los Angeles, Houston, Detroit, Louisville, Wahington DC. Walid also participated in educational Arabic music tours bringing awareness about the Arabic world and its rich culture, promoting peace and understanding across the USA through music and discussion panels. Walid collaborated with Group Saloum, the hottest Afro-Beat Mbalax band founded by world-renowned Senegalese griot percussionist Lamine Touré and went on a tour on the American east coast and played for crowds such as that of the prestigious Montréal Festival Les Nuits D’Afrique in Canada in July 2007. In February 2008, Walid had the privilege of being part of the Arabesque Music Ensemble national tour (www.arabesquemusicensemble.com) playing oud in sold out venues in 6 major US cities, sharing the stage with exceptional musicians including the legendary singer Ustadh Youssef Kassab and the legendary percussionist who worked with Fairouz for 30 years Ustadh Michel Mehrej. Walid had recently had the honor and great pleasure to play upright bass for great Master, violin and oud virtuoso Simon Shaheen (www.simonshaheen.com)performing in sold out concerts in Seattle, New York and Vancouver Canada. Contact Walid at Walid@Layaleena.com

Engin Gunaydin Drums & Perciussion	Born in Melbourne, Australia. Originally Turkish. Graduated as a percussionist from the Bilkent University-Music Faculty in Ankara, Turkey. Performed, recorded and toured with the Bilkent Symphony Orchestra for more than five years. Participated in many festivals located in Spain, Germany, Mexico and Turkey. Have performed with well known Turkish Musicians and Artists such as Tuna Otenel, Yahya Dai, Sibel Kose, Kamil Erdem, Janusz Sprot, Iskender Paydas, Ufuk Yildirim, Ozgun, Fazil Say, Zuhal Olcay, Edip Akbayram Cem Adrian, Omer Faruk Tekbilek and Atiye Deniz. Got accepted and continued my studies at the Berklee College of Music located in Boston, MA. Studied with great drummers;Francisco Mela, Larry Finn, Ralph Peterson, Jamey Haddad and Dave DiCenso.Performed with Tiger Okoshi, Mehmet Ali Sanlikol, Bertram Lehmann, Dave Samuels, Uziel Colon, Scott DeOgburn, Oscar Stagnaro and Winston Maccow. Recorded with Natalie Dietrich, Scott DeOgburn, Mark White and Victor Mendoza. Contact Engin at Engin@Layaleena.com
Layaleena's Dancers
Meiver Middle Eastern Dance performer and instructor in Boston	Meiver, a Middle Eastern Dance performer and instructor in Boston, is a fiery entertainer specializing in Egyptian / Lebanese Cabaret style. With natural grace combined with her authentic feel for Arabic rhythms, she’s become one of Boston’s favorite and most sought after performers. Originally from the Dominican Republic, Meiver grew up dancing to tropical rhythms and carries the warmth of the Caribbean in her heart. She started her professional study of dance in 1996, covering a variety of genres, which have come to influence her style. After training in Modern Dance, Flamenco and Salsa, Meiver began studying a range of Middle Eastern dance styles. Meiver has taught Raqs Sharki (belly dance) in Boston since 2004, and began performing solo in 2002. Since 2005 Meiver has been one of the dancers and choreographers for the Bellydance Overdrive trio, along with talented Egyptian musician Karim Nagi Mohammed (a.k.a. Turbo Tabla) and Boston based fellow dancer Nina Torres from Brazil (www.turbotabla.com/dance). In 2007 she joined Collage Dance Ensemble, an award-winning professional dance company, touring internationally, under the direction of Ahmet Luleci (www.collageusa.org) - performing a range of Folk Dances from Eastern Europe, Turkey as well as Western dance styles. Meiver's involvement with music goes from dancer, to radio DJ to music critic - having worked as a writer and music critic for Urban Latino Magazine, based in New York City and as a radio DJ for a local East Boston community radio station. Meiver has a double Bachelors of Science Degree from the University of Massachussetts Boston in International Business Management and Economics. She is currently a obtaining a Master’s Degree in Gender and Cultural Studies. For over 8 years she worked for one of the world’s top Biotechnology companies, specializing in international biopharmaceutical market registrations. Having just returned from a dance education sabbatical in South America in 2007, she is happy to be back teaching and performing in the USA.

Nina Dancer	Nina, professional Bellydance performer and instructor, is well known for her unique style and energetic performances. Born in Brazil, Nina’s natural grace, style and captivating stage presence has made her a favorite of the Bellydance elite in the Boston area. Her unique style is influenced by the other passions in her life including Afrodance, Ballet and Contemporary Dance. Nina is a member of the popular Bellydance Overdrive trio along with the famous Karim Nagi Mohammed (aka Turbo Tabla) and fellow, amazing dancer Meiver. Nina is not just a dancer, she is a complete performer. She will ease her way through a performance, pulling her audience in, making them feel like part of the performance and then blow them away with her energy and passion. Also a professional singer, Nina has a natural ability to captivate an audience of any size, always giving an all-out, dance like there’s no tomorrow performance!!

Lola Dancer	Lola is a popular New England performer with American and Arab audiences alike. Her heritage is unique in that she is the daughter of a Lebanese virtuoso oudist father, and her mother was a bellydancer as well. Lola has a strong musical and dance background. She is a conservatory graduate violinist in addition to being highly trained in Russian style ballet . . . all before she discovered her true passion that is belly dancing, or raks sharqi. As a belly dancer, Lola has the power to captivate a crowd and leave them wanting more...She is fluent in Arabic, which sets her apart from other dancers, in that she is able to interpret the Arabic lyrics with emotion and gestures. Lola's performances are fully customizable, coordinating professional costumes, props, and routines to any occasion. Her performances are reminiscent of authentic performers from the Middle East... full of life and feeling!

Maryanna Dancer	Mary Anne (Maryana) has been performing and teaching belly dance for more than eight years. She began performing in New Orleans, and has since performed in London, Oxford, and Boston. She was the principal instructor for the Oxford University Middle Eastern Dance Society for three years and was the house dancer for several Middle Eastern establishments in Oxford. Since moving to Boston, she has performed at Layaleena, Awtar, Baladi, Karoun's, and Argana. Mary Anne holds a law degree from Harvard Law School and a doctorate from Oxford University, and currently teaches social theory at Harvard University.

Yael Dancer	Yael is a professional performance artist, specializing in Middle-Eastern Dance. Her shows are dramatic, captivating, and unique. Her powerfully engaging stage presence, polished poise, playful personality, dynamic musical timing, and controlled technique, are unforgettable. Yael's aesthetic repertoire is strongly influenced by her training in western classical and modern dance, as well as such diverse ethnic traditions as Flamenco and Indian Dance. She is dedicated to the Egyptian art of Raks Sharki, and to formulating her own expressive style. Yael provides professional, authentic Oriental dance (Middle Eastern dance) performances suitable for all audiences with the use of elaborate costuming and a variety of sensational props. She participated a number of Theater Belly Dance shows, including “A flower for Vered”, at the Suzanne Dalal Center of Dance. Yael has had years of improvisational performance as a cabaret dancer. She danced at many private gigs, and had regular shows at clubs and restaurants. Currently she performs throughout the Boston area, and has quickly become a local favorite. She has regular shows at the Layalina and Baladi clubs in Cambridge

Najmat Dancer	Najmat is a Brazilian-born, Boston-based dancer. She is widely known for her strong and compelling performances and expert drum solos. As a teacher, Najmat sees the therapeutic side of middle eastern dance -- it is a healing dance designed to awaken the feminine spirit and unleash women's sensuality and inner power.

Melina Dancer	Melina of Daughters of Rhea Melina of Daughters of Rhea (Melinda Pavlata, PhD) is a second-generation belly-dance artist, circus aerialist, choreographer, teacher and writer. She cofounded the Daughters of Rhea Belly Dance Company (www.daughtersofrhea.com), Cirque Passion European Family Circus (www.cirquepassion.com), and the ALS Therapy Development Institute (www.als.net). Melina was a Ben Franklin Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania and an adjunct professor of French literature at Boston College before fully rededicating her life to her family legacy of belly dance and circus arts. She has been featured on 60 Minutes II, National Public Radio's Marketplace, the New Yorker, and the documentary So Much, So Fast. Melina is the only belly dancer on the planet to balance a sword on a dagger clutched in her jaws, and she specializes in balancing a tray of lit candles on her head while moving like a snake beneathe. A consummate entertainer since the age of 2, Melina has been invited to perform all over the world: from Nantucket to Taiwan, from Athens, Greece to Singapore. When she is not on tour, Melina is always delighted to dance on the Layaleena stage.

Hanan Dancer	Hanan, a belly dance performer and instructor in Boston, is a passionate and skilled entertainer. Renowned for her artistry and grace, she performs with beauty and abandon. She never fails to engage and delight her audience. Hanan first learned the art of bellydance from her mother, the dancer Casablanca. Since childhood, Hanan's love of dance has led her to study and perform many genres. In addition to raqs sharqi, she studied flamenco in Spain, she was a featured dancer in the award-winning Polynesian dance troupe KaUaTuahine in California, and she has trained and performed dances of the Turkish Gypsies (Roma) as well as Dunyavi dance. A Layaleena dancer since 2000, Hanan is currently one of the top dancers in the Boston area's Arabic night clubs. She has performed at countless weddings, parties and festivals. Show highlights include powerful drum solos, raqs assaya with two canes, veil and sword dances, and dancing while balancing on top of wine glasses

Phaedra Dancer, Teacher, Choreographer	Phaedra began dancing professionally after winning two belly dance contests and has been a popular dancer in the New England area ever since. She has performed at parties, haflis, weddings, and clubs all over New England including the more well-known clubs such as the Averof, Middle East, Bishops, Mirage, Athenian Corner, and Karoun. She was a founding member of the Near East Dance Theatre, a group that brought both Oriental and Folkloric styles of Middle Eastern dance to the theater stage for twelve years. In addition to New England, she has performed in Las Vegas, Texas, and Florida. She has taken workshops and classes with teachers too numerous to mention, however, she has been most influenced by Riskallah Riyad of CT and the late Ibrahim Farrah of NYC.

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