Vibrant cultural offerings
A Season of Great Music
October 2026–April 2027
Main Auditorium, Performing Arts Rotunda, Library 011
Engage Arts at AUS is a performing arts series that brings internationally acclaimed and emerging artists to campus for performances, concerts and creative encounters that inspire, engage and broaden perspectives. The 2026–2027 season features an eclectic lineup spanning classical music, film scoring, world music and contemporary interpretations of the arts, with performances and events by acclaimed musicians and composers from around the world.
Tickets
- General | AED 100 (open to all)
- Student | AED 50 (valid AUS ID required)
- Performing Arts Students | AED 10
Season Lineup
Intimacy and Irony: Great Romantics and Beyond
Mansur Kadirov, cello | Dr. Christina Wright-Ivanova, piano
Saturday, October 3, 2026
Venue: Performing Arts Rotunda
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Film Scoring: From Concept to Production
Cristóbal MarYán
Tuesday, October 6, 2026
Venue: AD 102, CAAD Building
Time: 5:00 p.m.–8:50 p.m.
The Versatile Composer: Scoring for Film, Stage and Concert Hall
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Venue: LIB 011
Time: 3:30 p.m.–4:45 p.m.
Free and open to the AUS Community
Tafassil "Details": A Melodic Journey to the Sounds and Rhythms of the Soul
Driss El Maloumi Quartet: Driss El Maloumi, oud | Said El Maloumi and Lahoucine Baqir, percussion | Karima El Maloumi, voice
Thursday, January 21, 2027
Venue: Performing Arts Rotunda
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Dialogues: Sonatas for violin and piano
Mayumi Seiler, violin | Dr. Christina Wright-Ivanova, piano
Wednesday, March 17, 2027
Venue: Main Auditorium
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Baroque at its Wildest
Red Priest: Piers Adams, recorder | Julia Bishop, violin | Angela East, cello | David Wright, harpsichord
Thursday, April 1, 2027
Venue: Main Auditorium
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Rising Stars!
Za’Riah Wind Quintet: Ben Smith, flute | Jamison Hillian, oboe | Katelyn Poetker, clarinet | AJ Neubert, bassoon |Oved Rico, horn
Thursday, April 22, 2027
Venue: Main Auditorium
Time: 7:00 p.m.
- Intimacy and Irony: Great Romantics and Beyond | October 3, 2026
Mansur Kadirov, cello | Dr. Christina Wright-Ivanova, piano
Fantasiestüke, Op. 73
I. Tender and with expression
III. Quick and with fire
Robert Schumann (1810-1856)Sonata in e minor for violoncello and piano in e minor Op. 38, no.1
I. Allegro non troppo
II. Allegretto quasi menuetto, trio
III. Allegro
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)--Intermission--
Cello sonata in C Major, Op 119
I. Andante grave
II. Moderato
III. Allegro, ma non troppo
Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953)- Film Scoring | October 6, 2026 and The Versatile Composer | October 7, 2026
Cristóbal MarYán gives two presentations exploring the process of composing music for film. He shares excerpts from films he has scored and discusses his experience creating music for film, including the process of working with producers. The presentations offer an opportunity to learn more about the work and creative process behind film scoring.
- Tafassil "Details": A Melodic Journey to the Sounds and Rhythms of the Soul | January 21, 2027
- Safar (Travel) | Oud and percussions
- Nass El Sabah (People of Dawn) | Oud and percussions
- El Bourakia (Sufi singing. Text Ayoub M.Fassi) | Oud and percussions
- Nassim El Rih (The breeze of the wind) Popular song. Text Mansur Hallaj | ocals, oud and percussions
- Mouachah Andalou (Arab - Andalusian singing. Text Ahmed Kiwan) | Vocals, oud and percussions
- Imtinan (Gratitude) | Oud and percussions
- Hadith El Anamil (The dialogue of the fingers) | Oud solo
- Tawazoun (Balance) | Oud and percussions
- Tissit (The mirror) Amazigh singing. Text Mohamad wagrar | Vocals, oud and percussions
- Tala'at Ya Mahla Nourha. Sayed Darwish's song | Vocals, oud and percussions
- Ahlam Saghira (Small Dreams) | Vocals, oud, and percussions
- Chajar (Trees) | Oud and percussions
- Dialogues: Sonatas for Violin and Piano | March 17, 2027
- Violin Sonata No. 32 in B♭ major (K. 454) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (April 1784)
- Violin Sonata by Leoš Janáček (1914)
- Sonata in A Major for Violin and Piano by César Franck is (1886)
- Baroque at its Wildest | April 1, 2027
Red Priest, described by The New York Times as “the wildly virtuosic little band,” brings its distinctive approach to Baroque music to the stage. The ensemble combines high-energy performance, boundary-crossing arrangements and theatrical presentation to create a unique take on the Baroque repertoire. Named after Antonio Vivaldi, Red Priest has been at the cutting edge of Baroque performance for over a quarter of a century.
- Rising Stars! | April 22, 2027
Enjoy an inspiring performance by Za’Riah, an award-winning wind quintet dedicated to creating deeply human, captivating chamber music experiences. Guided by their diverse backgrounds and dynamic storytelling, this world-class emerging ensemble bridges classical masterpieces with works by living composers in an accessible, engaging atmosphere. Expect an unforgettable performance marked by extraordinary artistry, vibrant energy, and a shared connection that brings listeners into the heart of the music.
Meet the Performers
- Mansur Kadirov
Acclaimed cellist, award-winning soloist, chamber musician and educator who has performed across the globe, including at Alice Tully Hall and the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.
- Christina Wright-Ivanova
An Art Song specialist and contemporary music advocate who performs internationally across the US and Europe, collaborates with singers from premier opera houses and records widely. She is currently Academic Coordinator for the Performing Arts Program at AUS.
- Cristóbal MarYán
Award-winning composer who creates for concert halls, film, TV and theatre, with performances across North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East by ensembles including the Minería Symphony Orchestra and musicians like Yo-Yo Ma. A Sundance award-winner for his Son of Monarchs film score and a former diplomat in China, he brings a distinct global perspective to his work across film, TV, and concert music.
- Driss El Maloumi
Renowned as a "magician of the oud," the Moroccan virtuoso leads the Driss El Maloumi Quartet in a captivating blend of Arab-Andalusian, Berber and contemporary world music. Director of the Conservatoire d'Agadir, he has collaborated extensively with early music legend Jordi Savall, jazz icons and global poets, while scoring acclaimed films and releasing award-winning albums like 3MA and Makan.
- Mayumi Seiler
An internationally acclaimed soloist, chamber musician and educator who has performed at iconic venues including Carnegie Hall, the Concertgebouw and the Musikverein. She has appeared with major orchestras worldwide, collaborated with celebrated conductors and soloists and established an extensive discography on labels. Founder of Toronto’s renowned Via Salzburg series.
- Red Priest
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Piers Adams (Recorder)
Dubbed "superhuman" by the Washington Post, he is renowned for pushing the boundaries of his instrument across genres from Renaissance to rock. Co-founder of Red Priest, he pioneered modern recorder design and innovative cross-genre projects.Julia Bishop (Baroque Violin)
Co-founder of Red Priest, she is recognized as one of the instrument's most vibrant exponents. Over a 35-year career, she has toured globally and recorded extensively with leading period ensembles.Angela East (Baroque Cello)
Praised for the "elemental power" of her playing across major stages, she is a founder member of Red Priest and soloist with Europe’s top Baroque orchestras. She released acclaimed recordings of Bach’s Cello Suites and is an active educator.David Wright (Harpsichord)
One of the UK’s most sought-after harpsichordists, he has toured internationally alongside leading Early Music figures as a soloist, concerto performer, and opera director. - Za’Riah Wind Quintet
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Ben Smith (Flute)
A founding member of Za’Riah and co-serves as Artistic Director for Queen City Chamber Music.Jamison Hillian (Oboe)
Acting Second Oboe for the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra and an active chamber and orchestral musician.Katelyn Poetker (Clarinet)
A founding member of Za’Riah and serves alongside Ben Smith as Artistic Director for Queen City Chamber Music.AJ Neubert (Bassoon)
A founding member of Za’Riah and Principal Bassoon of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra.Oved Rico / Braydon Ross (Horn)
Founding hornist Oved Rico—a Broadway tour veteran and international brass coach—and Braydon Ross, Assistant Principal Horn with the Sarasota Orchestra.
Proudly Supported By
We are grateful to our partners whose generosity makes the Engage Arts Season possible.
Bring World-Class Music to AUS
Your sponsorship helps us inspire students, engage the community and bring acclaimed performers to our stage.
Interested in becoming a sponsor? Please contact [email protected].
Tickets and Passes
Tickets available online and at the door.
- General | AED 100 (open to all)
- Student | AED 50 (valid AUS ID required)
- Performing Arts Students | AED 10
Good to Know Before You Go
E-tickets: Sent instantly with unique QR codes after purchase.
Student tickets: AUS Student ID required on entry.
Shuttle: Every 10 minutes from Visitor Parking before showtime.
We welcome children at the concert. Please keep them close and seated and help us maintain an enjoyable atmosphere for everyone.
Getting Here and Parking
Main Auditorium and Performing Arts Rotunda
Enter via AUS Main Gate (Gate 1) and follow signs to Visitor Parking.
Library 011
Follow campus signage to the Library building.
Shuttle service runs every 10 minutes starting 30 minutes before showtime for Main Auditorium events.
Contact
Questions about tickets, venues or this season’s performances? Please click here and our team is happy to help.
