Born into a musically inclined Palestinian family and raised between Jerusalem and Ramallah, Christine Zayed was introduced early to classical and contemporary Arabic music, as well as traditional Palestinian melodies. Alongside her two brothers, accomplished composers and multi-instrumentalists, she began learning the oud and singing.
By the age of nine, she joined the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music in Ramallah, studying violin, music theory, and history. However, the kanun, a traditional Middle Eastern instrument, captured her imagination, leading her to specialize in Arabic music and its maqam (modal system), rhythms, and history.
Christine’s talent soon took her beyond Palestine. As a kanun player and vocalist, she performed at international festivals in countries like France, the United States, Qatar, Norway, Serbia, Jordan, Russia, and Italy. At 21, she moved to France to pursue a master’s degree in musicology and jazz studies, while also explored various musical traditions, including Greek, Turkish, and Andalusian repertoires, at the Edgar Varèse Conservatory. She currently teaches at the same institution.
Her collaborations span diverse artists and projects, from working with Alexis Paul and Piers Faccini to founding ensembles such as Sadeem and Chakâm. By 2018, Christine began performing as a soloist, combining classical Arabic repertoire with her original compositions.
In 2022, Christine began crafting her debut solo album, Kama Kuntu (“What I Was”), released on November 8, 2024, under the Modulor label. The album reflects her journey, weaving Arabic music traditions with contemporary influences. While it features poetic texts, the kanun serves as the project’s cornerstone, complemented by her evocative vocals. The album includes collaborations with artists such as Sylvain Barou (flute), Prabhu Édouard (tabla), and her brothers Basel and Yousef Zayed.
In parallel, Christine ventured into composing for film. Her work includes the score for Un Jeudi pour Darwin by Mathieu Baillargeon and award-winning short films like Sokrania 59 and Dinar. These experiences have broadened her creative expression, bringing together her passion for music with cinematic storytelling.
For Christine, music is deeply intertwined with her identity and a means of sharing universal emotions. She views it as a bridge, connecting audiences with stories, experiences, and feelings. Drawing inspiration from poetry and personal introspection, her compositions evolve through improvisation, guided by the maqam and rhythmic patterns.
Her creative process reflects a profound respect for music’s role in everyday life, whether during family gatherings, summer nights, or significant life events.
Discography:
Kama Kuntu (Modulor, 2024)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.