Dazzling Lebanese violin maestro and show-woman Hanine El Alam chats with us about winning Best Lebanese Violinist at the Arab Satellite Festival in Cairo, travel, and love of nature.
Hanine El Alam is a fiercely talented and diverse violinist from Lebanon. Her performances are hardly just that; they are dazzling, larger-than-life wonders featuring adorned dancers, magnetic partnerships, and a full band blending techno, Latin, and Arabic flavors – not to mention the razzle-dazzle wardrobe. Her music videos are equally as dramatic and extravagant.
She has taken her music worldwide, embracing audiences with her virtuosic and eclectic sound. Her accomplishments are abundant; Hanine was recently awarded Best Lebanese Violinist at the Arab Satellite Festival in Cairo.
Hanine began playing the violin at age nine and subsequently received a diploma in music. In addition to this, she is an eye-catching dancer. Hanine draws a lot of inspiration from nature and deeply respects classical Arabic musicians, drawing energy from the world’s many traditions.
Hanine was lovely enough to answer some questions for us. We talked about her accomplishments, musical inspirations, and relaxation
It was terrific existing honored in Egypt, the homeland we, as Lebanese, consider number one when it reaches to skill
Congratulations on winning the award for Best Lebanese Violinist at the Arab Satellite Festival! How did that feel?
Thank you, it was amazing being honored in Egypt, the country we as Lebanese consider number one when it comes to art.
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We see you were just in Tunisia. Where are you right now?
Yes, we were in Tunisia for two great performances at the Regency Hotel and now we have three consecutive shows in Jordan.
What is your favorite collaboration you have worked on?
A lot of my collaborations were very interesting, I enjoyed lots of them. If I have to count them all you’ll have to spare me three full pages hehe.
In 2014 you released Nostalgia, which was composed by you. Are you currently working on any new music?
Currently, I am working on a new track that has the Gypsy soul, I hope people love it.
[I believe that understanding is the key to anything. I am always curious and on the hunt for new things to learn. And I also think that it is crucial for any human being to meditate, relax and appreciate the nature around them]
Where is your favorite place to perform?
To each place its own vibes, but as any other artist, my favorite place to perform is anywhere with a positive audience.
Are you coming to Egypt again any time soon?
Yes, most probably to Alexandria at the end of November.
What artists in the past or present influence you most?
My influences come from different places. My music is a mixture between American singers and Arab musicians. I must say some of the most influential to me are Abboud Abed El Aal and the violinist Nazir Mawwas.
You perform with dancers, and are obviously talented yourself. Did you study dance as well as violin or are you a natural?
Dancing cannot be taught if you don’t have it in you. Feeling, living and being part of the music while dancing to the rhythm with precision is not something you can teach. I started as a natural of course then I studied it later on to get deeper into that form of art that dazzles me.
