Meet the Directors

Gael Hedding

Director of Berklee Abu Dhabi Center

Gael Hedding is a Grammy- and Latin Grammy-winning engineer, music producer, and entrepreneur. He currently serves as the inaugural director of the Berklee Abu Dhabi Center in the U.A.E. Previously, he served as an assistant professor and production manager at Berklee's Valencia campus, contributing to its early development. There, he taught and developed curricula on music production, recording, mixing, and live sound for undergraduate and graduate students.

Hedding has conducted masterclasses in the Middle East, India, and Latin America at prestigious institutions, such as Tecnológico de Monterrey, Universidad La Salle, and Universidad San Francisco de Quito. He has been a guest speaker internationally at Latin Grammy events, Culture Summit Abu Dhabi, XP Music Festival, and BIME, to name a few.

He holds a bachelor's degree in Music Production and Engineering from Berklee College of Music and a Master of Science in Innovation and Entrepreneurship from HEC Paris.

With over 50 albums and 500-plus live shows internationally, Hedding has worked with renowned artists, including Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Janet Jackson, Aida Cuevas, Pepe Aguilar, John McLaughlin, and Caribbean Jazz Project, among others.

In 2008, he created Sandia Sound Studio and Sandia Live, both ventures in Cancun, Mexico, devoted to music production in the studio and on stage. Additionally, Hedding is a founding member and former secretary of the Circle of Producers and Engineers (CPI) at the Latin Recording Academy. He also serves as an advisor for foundations in Mexico and India dedicated to enhancing culture and the music industry.

Mayssa Karaa

Artistic Director of Berklee Abu Dhabi Center

Mayssa Karaa is a Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur, currently serving as the inaugural artistic director of Berklee Abu Dhabi.

Born in Beirut, Lebanon, she is known for seamlessly blending Arabic and Western music, bridging cultures through her artistry. Since graduating from Berklee, she has been dedicated to bringing its musical experience to artists in the Middle East.

She gained international recognition with her Arabic rendition of "White Rabbit" for the Oscar-nominated film American Hustle, which was featured on its Grammy-nominated soundtrack. As a cultural ambassador, she has been the voice of the Middle Eastern edition of "Sesame Street" (Iftah Ya Simsim) and was one of the lead singers of "This Is Our Time," the official theme song for Expo 2020 Dubai.

Karaa has collaborated with legendary artists, including Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman on "Hayati" and "Glisse la Vie" for his movie soundtracks, and has toured internationally with him. In a historic moment, she became the first artist to sing in Arabic alongside Andrea Bocelli, sharing the stage with the operatic icon in Abu Dhabi.

Karaa has collaborated with esteemed artists and members of legendary bands, showcasing her versatility across genres. She was featured in two PBS specials filmed in Naples, Italy, including one also featuring the iconic Plácido Domingo. Her Arabic rendition of Pink Floyd’s "Comfortably Numb" featured a former band member, and she joined David Bowie’s former bandmates on a California tour for Celebrating David Bowie. She also worked with renowned producer and musician Don Was in a tribute to Bob Seger, further establishing herself as a cultural bridge, seamlessly blending Arabic and Western music on the global stage.

Her discography includes her debut album "Simple Cure," which she launched at Capitol Studios in Hollywood. She has performed at prestigious venues and festivals worldwide, including Ziggo Dome (Amsterdam), UNESCO (Paris), Dubai Opera, Detroit Symphony Hall, Abu Dhabi Festival, Beiteddine International Festival, and Belgrade Arena, among others.

Beyond performance, Karaa is an influential artistic director, music strategist, and consultant. She played a key role in shaping artistic and cultural initiatives, including serving as the Artistic Director of the Firdaus Orchestra, an all-female ensemble created for Expo 2020 Dubai under A.R. Rahman’s patronage.

Committed to cultural diplomacy, she has received Lebanon’s National Cultural Award and the Pride of the UAE Award. She has also collaborated with the International Committee of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, featured as an Ambassador for MasterPeace, a United Nations initiative, and has been a guest speaker at international and Middle Eastern conferences and summits.