In the early 1990s, before heritage preservation was on the national agenda, Dr. Lisa Urkevich arrived in Khamis Mushait with a scholar’s eye and a musician’s ear. Far from seeing a closed society, she discovered a living archive of sounds and traditions. Her decades-long journey would make her the foremost authority on Saudi music, capturing a cultural legacy once hidden from view.
Jun 3, 2025
Once confined to private gatherings, music in Saudi Arabia is now being actively nurtured. With 17,000 kindergarten teachers trained in music education and a growing rap and opera scene, the Kingdom is striking a bold new chord. But can this cultural shift evolve into a lasting creative industry?
Feb 13, 2025
Alya Fityani once worked at Spotify—a “music place,” as her mother called it. Now, as a Label Services Project Manager at Vydia, she stands at the heart of Saudi Arabia’s evolving music scene, bridging tradition and innovation.
Feb 7, 2025
Opera is striking a new chord in Saudi Arabia, where the genre—once unfamiliar—is now making its debut with ambitious projects like the Diriyah Opera House and trailblazers like Sawsan Al-Bahiti. But will Saudis embrace this high-drama art form in their rapidly evolving music scene?
Sep 10, 2024
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Jun 3, 2025
