An Iraqi academic, born in Sharjah, U.A.E., Ruba was raised in a household where the exposure and appreciation of many cultural traditions was considered to be part and parcel of becoming a world citizen. So, it is not surprising that her interests in exploring many artistic and cultural practices started at a very young age.
Ruba grew up listening to the golden oldies of Arabic music. While pursuing her undergraduate degree, Ruba also began learning the play the play the music she had come to love. Her instrument of choice: the oud. In 2015, while teaching in London, Ruba began to advance her skills under the tutelage of oud master Ahmed Mukhtar. Since then, studying the oud has become a way to connect to the homeland that she has never experienced first-hand.
As an educator, with over 10 years of professional teaching experience, Ruba has been known to encourage the exploration of music and artistic practices of the various cultures represented in her classrooms. This was done with the aim of fostering inter-cultural appreciation amongst her students. As a music teacher, she enjoys sharing her own musical heritage with the students at Taqasim.
Academic credentials:
currently working towards her second M.A in Music Performance at SOAS, London
2017 – M.A. – Cultural Studies, SOAS, London
2011 – Honors B.Ed. – Primary Junior Education, University of Western Ontario, Canada
2006 – Honors B.A – Fine Arts Cultural Studies, York University, Toronto