A Cultural Crescendo for the Emirates
In a significant stride toward cultural enrichment and national capacity-building, the National Youth Orchestra – Dubai (NYO Dubai), in collaboration with the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, has launched the Emirati Music Education Programme. The initiative, developed under the Dubai Cultural Grant, signals a clear commitment to cultivating homegrown talent within the United Arab Emirates’ burgeoning creative sector.
At its core, the programme seeks to provide rigorous musical training for young Emiratis. Students will engage in a structured curriculum that includes music history, theory, and classical performance practice. Instruction spans string and wind instruments, choral studies, and ensemble performance, complemented by workshops led by NYO Dubai’s professional faculty.
This is not a symbolic gesture. It is a strategic investment in the country’s cultural infrastructure. By equipping the next generation with professional-level training, the programme aims to fortify the UAE’s music sector and deepen national participation in the creative economy.
Shaima Rashed Al Suwaidi, CEO of the Arts, Design & Literature Sector at Dubai Culture, articulated the programme’s broader vision: to nurture future performers and elevate Dubai’s standing as a global cultural capital. In tandem, Amira Fouad, Artistic Director of the National Youth Orchestras & Choirs – Dubai, emphasized the programme’s role in making high-level music education accessible to Emiratis, while honoring the country’s cultural heritage. Auditions for shortlisted applicants will begin on 14 September 2025. The Emirati Music Education Programme is more than an academic offering—it is a nation-building initiative, grounded in the belief that a thriving cultural sector is not a luxury, but a necessity.
Photo credits: National Youth Orchestra Dubai
Alexander Agafiev Macambira is former tech contributing writer for Forbes Monaco.
Alexander Agafiev Macambira
