Instruments: Arabic Daf, Riqq, Derbakkeh, and Tabl

Biography:

Nicolas Chbat, originally from Lebanon, studied Ghanaian drumming from 1995 to 1998 when he attended the Arabic Music Retreat (intensive educational program) under the direction of Maestro Simon Shaheen. He then learned Arabic percussion theory and practice under Michel Merhej and Tim O'Keeffe. He has since been performing classical Arabic music with different ensembles in Minnesota and New York.

He has since been performing classical Arabic music with different ensembles in MN and NY. He was with the New York Arabic Orchestra (2007-2010) under the leadership of Bassam Saba, where they performed at the Symphony Space in New York City. Since 2011 he has been with Sukoon and Brooklyn Nomads where they performed at numerous venues including the Millennium Stage at the The Kennedy Center in Washington DC. His instruments are: Arabic Daf, Riqq, Derbakkeh, and Tabl. Dr. Chbat is principal scientist at Philips Research labs and adjunct professor of biomedical engineering at Columbia University.