Mayssa Karaa
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.