After announcing our collaboration with Jordanian band Tarab 3al 7atab, we chatted to hear about their story and how they ended up doing a cappella music, including their latest song, a remake of Arabic song "Batwannes Beek". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEFhvgyjlIE
Jana: My passion for performance started when I began to speak as a 2-year-old. In high school, I realized my love for the theatre was more than just a passion. Thus began my lifelong journey to becoming and developing as a professional performer. Michel: For me, I started singing at school at the age of 9 at the "Arab Choir" in my hometown of Madaba, Jordan. Lana: I also started really young, at age 4! I kept going at it till I got my Grade 8 certificates in Piano and Ballet from London. when I was 20, I joined Dozan wa Awtar and started choreographing our musical numbers, including the performance at the World Choir Games in Latvia in 2014.
Lama: Jana is the only professional actress and applied theatre practitioner in the group. For me, even though I have a degree in Psychology, I chose a career to compliment my passion toward music which has now become my profession. I now work as a manager and presenter at a local radio station in addition to being a creative producer, lyricist, arranger, and a singer in numerous projects including a jazz band by the name of Levant Quartet. Rania: I'm at architect. Michel: Music is not my profession, either. I'm an Interior Architect, and morning show presenter at a radio station in Amman. Lana: I am a Pharmacy Doctor by education. I keep my passion close to my heart though... I teach music and movement to toddlers at several pre-schools, and am co-founder/choreographer for Lali Kids children’s Dance Troup.
Michel: Delivering a specific message. It's simply the best way to create change and inspire other people. Lana: I'd say that time management, discipline, commitment, team work, and pouring your heart and soul into what you do. Lama: Always try something new. Jana: Being a 'yes' person is key to any collaborative work ethic - which means accepting what others have to give, receiving the energy they give you and giving back.
Lama: I never thought I'd be a singer. Growing up I thought music and any creative field are things I'd never be part of. Michel: Neither did I! One of the funniest moments happened last year when I was managing a project on site. One of the workers did not believe that I am the engineer who gives orders on site and sings and acts on TV. He was a huge fan of the musical! Lana: Dancing and music actually really helped me with succeeding in my Pharmacy degree. There's no better way to learn time management.
Rania: Wake up with a smile. :) Lana: Make sure you never cross the thin line between being confident in what you know and underestimating what others know. Each of us has something to teach and a lot to learn. When you think you know everything, you stop growing and developing. Jana: Say good bye to the 'no' people. The reward is priceless.
Michel: Do not let anyone else write your own story. Love and believe in yourselves and your abilities, follow your instinct and learn from your mistakes. Rania: Your story has to satisfy you, you have to remain inspired and willing to add to its events continuously. Don't be afraid to change the direction of your story along the way. Jana: Surround yourself by people who believe in you and your story. It may take time to find those people, but you will. At the end of the day, you are your biggest fan. Believe in your strength and your vision. Educate yourself always. Continue to learn and grow as an artist until the opportunity for you to create comes along. Never stop learning. Lama: Face your fear of failure.
Jana: The energy I felt working with up to 50 people on set was inspiring. It was a moment in my life when time stopped, I looked around and felt, someone believes in our ideas. Someone has invested in our vision. All these people are working so hard because they believe in us and what we have to say. It was a priceless moment. It made me think of, 'what's next?' Lana: This was my first time choreographing a musical video and working with a full production team. It was also so encouraging to see that everyone involved in the project was so young. The spirit on set was pounding with life and youthful energy. Despite the long , crazy hours, everyone always had a smile on their face, never once complaining… showing that our generation has a lot to offer and can really make a difference. Michel: The long recording hours at the studio, creative brainstorming sessions and the long shooting hours on set. "Batwannes Beek" is one of our favorite tracks and we are so excited to share it with the world!
