{"id":11468,"date":"2023-08-20T12:00:47","date_gmt":"2023-08-20T12:00:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/al-rawiya.com\/?p=11468"},"modified":"2023-08-20T08:17:30","modified_gmt":"2023-08-20T08:17:30","slug":"riwayetna-april-centrone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/al-rawiya.com\/ar\/riwayetna-april-centrone\/","title":{"rendered":"April Centrone"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"11468\" class=\"elementor elementor-11468\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3773065 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"3773065\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-24e63ba\" data-id=\"24e63ba\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bd89635 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"bd89635\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">APRIL CENTRONE<br>Love for Percussion Leading to Arabic Music and Co-Founding an Orchestra<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-49d7abc elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"49d7abc\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e52c6a8\" data-id=\"e52c6a8\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f249a20 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f249a20\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Drawn to the drums, April Centrone (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/aprilcentrone\/\">@aprilcentrone<\/a>) started music when she was just eight or nine years old, playing drums in the different bands school offered, such as orchestra, jazz band, theater pit band and marching band. The rhythmic beats matched her energetic personality perfectly, and with her family&#8217;s unwavering support, she delved deeper into this intense interest.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>When she was about 20 years old, she moved back to New York City, where she was born. Stepping into college life in the vibrant city, her musical world expanded even further. World music concerts introduced her to a diverse array of musical traditions, but one performance, in particular, changed the course of her life. It was a concert featuring the Palestinian virtuoso Simon Shaheen. It opened her heart and ears to the enchanting realm of Arabic music. The melodies spoke to her soul, and she was drawn to its intricate rhythms. This is when she fell in love with Arabic music and culture. And April never looked back. Now she is a multi-instrumentalist, including arabic percussion as well as a teacher and a performer.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-48ef3d0\" data-id=\"48ef3d0\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f5ada24 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"f5ada24\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"794\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/april_sagershot.jpg?fit=800%2C794&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-11469\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/april_sagershot.jpg?w=1365&amp;ssl=1 1365w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/april_sagershot.jpg?resize=300%2C298&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/april_sagershot.jpg?resize=1024%2C1016&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/april_sagershot.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/april_sagershot.jpg?resize=768%2C762&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/april_sagershot.jpg?resize=200%2C200&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/april_sagershot.jpg?resize=1200%2C1191&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/april_sagershot.jpg?resize=70%2C70&amp;ssl=1 70w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-c53318b elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"c53318b\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7fa22b8\" data-id=\"7fa22b8\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-08f156f elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"08f156f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/pic18.jpg?fit=3425%2C4614&amp;ssl=1\" title=\"pic18\" alt=\"pic18\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-172e1a8\" data-id=\"172e1a8\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8ca4daf elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8ca4daf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Centrone started her exploration with drum set, and later expanded her repertoire to include the riq, darbuka, frame drums, Arabic oud and Arabic violin and this was one of the reasons why she moved to Lebanon in 2013 for three years. During her stay there, she toured extensively with Ziad Rahbani where her passion for Arabic music grew, and she embarked on a journey of cultural immersion. She performed across the country and experienced the warmth and beauty of Lebanese culture, which never failed to amaze her. She remembers friends of hers saying \u201cyou are not going to want to come back, you are gonna fall in love with it\u201d. Well, they were right. And within actually a couple of weeks, she remembers feeling this immense calm and peace come over her. There was just this sense of warmth to the culture and to the people, who give the feeling of safety and care to one another.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>But it wasn&#8217;t just about performing on stage; she wanted to share the transformative power of music with others. She had pursued a master&#8217;s degree in forensic psychology and worked at the children&#8217;s psychiatric hospital in New York. Once in Lebanon, she started working with refugee youth, using Arabic music and poetry as a means of healing and self-expression. Witnessing the positive impact of music on these young souls, she realized that music therapy held incredible potential. Combining her love for psychology and music, she continued to teach Arabic music and drums to affected youth in Lebanon, New York and around the world. The experience reinforced her belief in the healing power of music, and she knew she had found her purpose to use music as a means to connect, understand, and heal emotional wounds.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-941a016 elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"941a016\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c61a060\" data-id=\"c61a060\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5d195f4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5d195f4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>She co-founded the New York Arabic Orchestra back in 2007 alongside Bassam Saba, a well known Lebanese musician and a promoter of Arabic music in the west. Bassam and April met when he was an educator at Arabic music retreat, however, the orchestra tragically lost him after COVID-19 in 2020. Their vision was to create a space for musicians who shared their passion for Arabic music. Starting as a small group of students in a modest loft, their ensemble gradually grew over the years to include around 50 talented individuals. They gained attention from the city&#8217;s music scene and received invitations to perform at prestigious festivals, including the renowned Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors in Damrosch Park. April will never forget the incredible moment in 2011 when she stood on that grand stage, facing a mesmerized audience of four to five thousand people, with seats in high demand. Their journey was a testament to their love, dedication, and musical talent, and it was a surreal experience to witness their ensemble&#8217;s remarkable growth and share their music with enthusiastic audiences. Through their music, they aimed to break cultural barriers, fostering understanding and appreciation among people from diverse backgrounds. Teaching workshops for children and adults, visiting schools, and hosting performances became an integral part of their mission. They witnessed firsthand how music transcended language and cultural differences, touching people&#8217;s hearts and instilling pride in Arab culture.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1102e4a\" data-id=\"1102e4a\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e301ae6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e301ae6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"413\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/P1162101.jpg?fit=800%2C413&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-11480\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/P1162101.jpg?w=2048&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/P1162101.jpg?resize=300%2C155&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/P1162101.jpg?resize=1024%2C528&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/P1162101.jpg?resize=768%2C396&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/P1162101.jpg?resize=1536%2C791&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/P1162101.jpg?resize=1200%2C618&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/P1162101.jpg?w=1600&amp;ssl=1 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\"><\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-782ae5f elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"782ae5f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"429\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/P1162105.jpg?fit=800%2C429&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-11481\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/P1162105.jpg?w=2048&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/P1162105.jpg?resize=300%2C161&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/P1162105.jpg?resize=1024%2C549&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/P1162105.jpg?resize=768%2C411&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/P1162105.jpg?resize=1536%2C823&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/P1162105.jpg?resize=1200%2C643&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/P1162105.jpg?w=1600&amp;ssl=1 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\"><\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-b983e11 elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"b983e11\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-aae4601\" data-id=\"aae4601\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-87fd4a9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-video\" data-id=\"87fd4a9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;youtube_url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/watch?v=fkfhMvzP9t8&quot;,&quot;video_type&quot;:&quot;youtube&quot;,&quot;controls&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"video.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-wrapper elementor-open-inline\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-video\"><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-56aa24e\" data-id=\"56aa24e\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-34aa28e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"34aa28e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Among the instruments she plays, the percussion family, including the riq, darbuka, and frame drums holds a special place in her heart due to the challenge they present and their ability to command attention. However, the oud and the violin evoke something different for her.\u00a0 They speak to her, and for her, from a deep place in her soul, each in their own way. Their enchanting sound evokes deep emotions and connects her profoundly with the music.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a5dd38c elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"a5dd38c\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-48f3cfc\" data-id=\"48f3cfc\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cfc5b3b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cfc5b3b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>April\u2019s journey in music has been defined by a deep love for Arabic music and culture. From her early fascination with the drums to co-founding the New York Arabic Orchestra and using music as a therapeutic tool, she has witnessed the profound impact music can have on people&#8217;s lives. As she looks ahead, she carries with her a powerful message of hope and connection, seeking to touch hearts and bridge cultural divides through the universal language of music. As she prepares to release a new album, her journey continues to evolve. She travels the world, performing and sharing the power of music with as many people as possible.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3972d6a\" data-id=\"3972d6a\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4bf8180 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4bf8180\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/april-closeup.jpeg?fit=800%2C534&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-11478\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/april-closeup.jpeg?w=2048&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/april-closeup.jpeg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/april-closeup.jpeg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/april-closeup.jpeg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/april-closeup.jpeg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/april-closeup.jpeg?resize=1200%2C800&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/april-closeup.jpeg?w=1600&amp;ssl=1 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-071d7af elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"071d7af\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1399a3b\" data-id=\"1399a3b\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4aae6d0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4aae6d0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Drawn to the drums, April Centrone (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/aprilcentrone\/\">@aprilcentrone<\/a>) started music when she was just eight or nine years old, playing drums in the different bands school offered, such as orchestra, jazz band, theater pit band and marching band. The rhythmic beats matched her energetic personality perfectly, and with her family&#8217;s unwavering support, she delved deeper into this intense interest.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>When she was about 20 years old, she moved back to New York City, where she was born. Stepping into college life in the vibrant city, her musical world expanded even further. World music concerts introduced her to a diverse array of musical traditions, but one performance, in particular, changed the course of her life. It was a concert featuring the Palestinian virtuoso Simon Shaheen. It opened her heart and ears to the enchanting realm of Arabic music. The melodies spoke to her soul, and she was drawn to its intricate rhythms. This is when she fell in love with Arabic music and culture. And April never looked back. Now she is a multi-instrumentalist, including arabic percussion as well as a teacher and a performer.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-38b23aa elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"38b23aa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"794\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/april_sagershot.jpg?fit=800%2C794&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-11469\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/april_sagershot.jpg?w=1365&amp;ssl=1 1365w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/april_sagershot.jpg?resize=300%2C298&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/april_sagershot.jpg?resize=1024%2C1016&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/april_sagershot.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/april_sagershot.jpg?resize=768%2C762&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/april_sagershot.jpg?resize=200%2C200&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/april_sagershot.jpg?resize=1200%2C1191&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/april_sagershot.jpg?resize=70%2C70&amp;ssl=1 70w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\"><\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bfeafc4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bfeafc4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Centrone started her exploration with drum set, and later expanded her repertoire to include the riq, darbuka, frame drums, Arabic oud and Arabic violin and this was one of the reasons why she moved to Lebanon in 2013 for three years. During her stay there, she toured extensively with Ziad Rahbani where her passion for Arabic music grew, and she embarked on a journey of cultural immersion. She performed across the country and experienced the warmth and beauty of Lebanese culture, which never failed to amaze her. She remembers friends of hers saying \u201cyou are not going to want to come back, you are gonna fall in love with it\u201d. Well, they were right. And within actually a couple of weeks, she remembers feeling this immense calm and peace come over her. There was just this sense of warmth to the culture and to the people, who give the feeling of safety and care to one another.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f4b34bf elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"f4b34bf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"760\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/pic18.jpg?fit=760%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-11470\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/pic18.jpg?w=3425&amp;ssl=1 3425w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/pic18.jpg?resize=223%2C300&amp;ssl=1 223w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/pic18.jpg?resize=760%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 760w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/pic18.jpg?resize=768%2C1035&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/pic18.jpg?resize=1140%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1140w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/pic18.jpg?resize=1520%2C2048&amp;ssl=1 1520w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/pic18.jpg?resize=1200%2C1617&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/pic18.jpg?w=1600&amp;ssl=1 1600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/pic18.jpg?w=2400&amp;ssl=1 2400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\"><\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b30d6cc elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b30d6cc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>But it wasn&#8217;t just about performing on stage; she wanted to share the transformative power of music with others. She had pursued a master&#8217;s degree in forensic psychology and worked at the children&#8217;s psychiatric hospital in New York. Once in Lebanon, she started working with refugee youth, using Arabic music and poetry as a means of healing and self-expression. Witnessing the positive impact of music on these young souls, she realized that music therapy held incredible potential. Combining her love for psychology and music, she continued to teach Arabic music and drums to affected youth in Lebanon, New York and around the world. The experience reinforced her belief in the healing power of music, and she knew she had found her purpose to use music as a means to connect, understand, and heal emotional wounds.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8594a07 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"8594a07\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"413\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/P1162101.jpg?fit=800%2C413&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-11480\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/P1162101.jpg?w=2048&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/P1162101.jpg?resize=300%2C155&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/P1162101.jpg?resize=1024%2C528&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/P1162101.jpg?resize=768%2C396&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/P1162101.jpg?resize=1536%2C791&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/P1162101.jpg?resize=1200%2C618&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/P1162101.jpg?w=1600&amp;ssl=1 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\"><\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c8cd083 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"c8cd083\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"429\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/P1162105.jpg?fit=800%2C429&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-11481\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/P1162105.jpg?w=2048&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/P1162105.jpg?resize=300%2C161&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/P1162105.jpg?resize=1024%2C549&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/P1162105.jpg?resize=768%2C411&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/P1162105.jpg?resize=1536%2C823&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/P1162105.jpg?resize=1200%2C643&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/P1162105.jpg?w=1600&amp;ssl=1 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\"><\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-11db9a3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"11db9a3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>She co-founded the New York Arabic Orchestra back in 2007 alongside Bassam Saba, a well known Lebanese musician and a promoter of Arabic music in the west. Bassam and April met when he was an educator at Arabic music retreat, however, the orchestra tragically lost him after COVID-19 in 2020. Their vision was to create a space for musicians who shared their passion for Arabic music. Starting as a small group of students in a modest loft, their ensemble gradually grew over the years to include around 50 talented individuals. They gained attention from the city&#8217;s music scene and received invitations to perform at prestigious festivals, including the renowned Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors in Damrosch Park. April will never forget the incredible moment in 2011 when she stood on that grand stage, facing a mesmerized audience of four to five thousand people, with seats in high demand. Their journey was a testament to their love, dedication, and musical talent, and it was a surreal experience to witness their ensemble&#8217;s remarkable growth and share their music with enthusiastic audiences. Through their music, they aimed to break cultural barriers, fostering understanding and appreciation among people from diverse backgrounds. Teaching workshops for children and adults, visiting schools, and hosting performances became an integral part of their mission. They witnessed firsthand how music transcended language and cultural differences, touching people&#8217;s hearts and instilling pride in Arab culture.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-55303d8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-video\" data-id=\"55303d8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;youtube_url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/watch?v=fkfhMvzP9t8&quot;,&quot;video_type&quot;:&quot;youtube&quot;,&quot;controls&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"video.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-wrapper elementor-open-inline\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-video\"><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9b5993c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9b5993c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Among the instruments she plays, the percussion family, including the riq, darbuka, and frame drums holds a special place in her heart due to the challenge they present and their ability to command attention. However, the oud and the violin evoke something different for her.\u00a0 They speak to her, and for her, from a deep place in her soul, each in their own way. Their enchanting sound evokes deep emotions and connects her profoundly with the music.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-11f690d elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"11f690d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/april-closeup.jpeg?fit=800%2C534&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-11478\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/april-closeup.jpeg?w=2048&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/april-closeup.jpeg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/april-closeup.jpeg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/april-closeup.jpeg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/april-closeup.jpeg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/april-closeup.jpeg?resize=1200%2C800&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/april-closeup.jpeg?w=1600&amp;ssl=1 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-56a77dd elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"56a77dd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>April\u2019s journey in music has been defined by a deep love for Arabic music and culture. From her early fascination with the drums to co-founding the New York Arabic Orchestra and using music as a therapeutic tool, she has witnessed the profound impact music can have on people&#8217;s lives. As she looks ahead, she carries with her a powerful message of hope and connection, seeking to touch hearts and bridge cultural divides through the universal language of music. As she prepares to release a new album, her journey continues to evolve. She travels the world, performing and sharing the power of music with as many people as possible.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-f0b9d09 elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"f0b9d09\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b5beb68\" data-id=\"b5beb68\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-162a5ca elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"162a5ca\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-7e2460c\" data-id=\"7e2460c\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1c39503 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1c39503\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Drawn to the drums, April Centrone (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/aprilcentrone\/\">@aprilcentrone<\/a>) started music when she was just eight or nine years old, playing drums in the different bands school offered, such as orchestra, jazz band, theater pit band and marching band. The rhythmic beats matched her energetic personality perfectly, and with her family&#8217;s unwavering support, she delved deeper into this intense interest.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>When she was about 20 years old, she moved back to New York City, where she was born. Stepping into college life in the vibrant city, her musical world expanded even further. World music concerts introduced her to a diverse array of musical traditions, but one performance, in particular, changed the course of her life. It was a concert featuring the Palestinian virtuoso Simon Shaheen. It opened her heart and ears to the enchanting realm of Arabic music. The melodies spoke to her soul, and she was drawn to its intricate rhythms. This is when she fell in love with Arabic music and culture. And April never looked back. Now she is a multi-instrumentalist, including arabic percussion as well as a teacher and a performer.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2b78ea1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"2b78ea1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"794\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/april_sagershot.jpg?fit=800%2C794&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-11469\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/april_sagershot.jpg?w=1365&amp;ssl=1 1365w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/april_sagershot.jpg?resize=300%2C298&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/april_sagershot.jpg?resize=1024%2C1016&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/april_sagershot.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/april_sagershot.jpg?resize=768%2C762&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/april_sagershot.jpg?resize=200%2C200&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/april_sagershot.jpg?resize=1200%2C1191&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/april_sagershot.jpg?resize=70%2C70&amp;ssl=1 70w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b109c20 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b109c20\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Centrone started her exploration with drum set, and later expanded her repertoire to include the riq, darbuka, frame drums, Arabic oud and Arabic violin and this was one of the reasons why she moved to Lebanon in 2013 for three years. During her stay there, she toured extensively with Ziad Rahbani where her passion for Arabic music grew, and she embarked on a journey of cultural immersion. She performed across the country and experienced the warmth and beauty of Lebanese culture, which never failed to amaze her. She remembers friends of hers saying \u201cyou are not going to want to come back, you are gonna fall in love with it\u201d. Well, they were right. And within actually a couple of weeks, she remembers feeling this immense calm and peace come over her. There was just this sense of warmth to the culture and to the people, who give the feeling of safety and care to one another.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ed5bbd9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ed5bbd9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"413\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/P1162101.jpg?fit=800%2C413&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-11480\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/P1162101.jpg?w=2048&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/P1162101.jpg?resize=300%2C155&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/P1162101.jpg?resize=1024%2C528&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/P1162101.jpg?resize=768%2C396&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/P1162101.jpg?resize=1536%2C791&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/P1162101.jpg?resize=1200%2C618&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/P1162101.jpg?w=1600&amp;ssl=1 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8040b53 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8040b53\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>But it wasn&#8217;t just about performing on stage; she wanted to share the transformative power of music with others. She had pursued a master&#8217;s degree in forensic psychology and worked at the children&#8217;s psychiatric hospital in New York. Once in Lebanon, she started working with refugee youth, using Arabic music and poetry as a means of healing and self-expression. Witnessing the positive impact of music on these young souls, she realized that music therapy held incredible potential. Combining her love for psychology and music, she continued to teach Arabic music and drums to affected youth in Lebanon, New York and around the world. The experience reinforced her belief in the healing power of music, and she knew she had found her purpose to use music as a means to connect, understand, and heal emotional wounds.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3a48dae elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"3a48dae\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"429\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/P1162105.jpg?fit=800%2C429&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-11481\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/P1162105.jpg?w=2048&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/P1162105.jpg?resize=300%2C161&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/P1162105.jpg?resize=1024%2C549&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/P1162105.jpg?resize=768%2C411&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/P1162105.jpg?resize=1536%2C823&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/P1162105.jpg?resize=1200%2C643&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/P1162105.jpg?w=1600&amp;ssl=1 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9998128 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9998128\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>She co-founded the New York Arabic Orchestra back in 2007 alongside Bassam Saba, a well known Lebanese musician and a promoter of Arabic music in the west. Bassam and April met when he was an educator at Arabic music retreat, however, the orchestra tragically lost him after COVID-19 in 2020. Their vision was to create a space for musicians who shared their passion for Arabic music. Starting as a small group of students in a modest loft, their ensemble gradually grew over the years to include around 50 talented individuals. They gained attention from the city&#8217;s music scene and received invitations to perform at prestigious festivals, including the renowned Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors in Damrosch Park. April will never forget the incredible moment in 2011 when she stood on that grand stage, facing a mesmerized audience of four to five thousand people, with seats in high demand. Their journey was a testament to their love, dedication, and musical talent, and it was a surreal experience to witness their ensemble&#8217;s remarkable growth and share their music with enthusiastic audiences. Through their music, they aimed to break cultural barriers, fostering understanding and appreciation among people from diverse backgrounds. Teaching workshops for children and adults, visiting schools, and hosting performances became an integral part of their mission. They witnessed firsthand how music transcended language and cultural differences, touching people&#8217;s hearts and instilling pride in Arab culture.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0aecfce elementor-widget elementor-widget-video\" data-id=\"0aecfce\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;youtube_url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/watch?v=fkfhMvzP9t8&quot;,&quot;video_type&quot;:&quot;youtube&quot;,&quot;controls&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"video.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-wrapper elementor-open-inline\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-video\"><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-908aa32 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"908aa32\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Among the instruments she plays, the percussion family, including the riq, darbuka, and frame drums holds a special place in her heart due to the challenge they present and their ability to command attention. However, the oud and the violin evoke something different for her.\u00a0 They speak to her, and for her, from a deep place in her soul, each in their own way. Their enchanting sound evokes deep emotions and connects her profoundly with the music.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fa2d204 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"fa2d204\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/april-closeup.jpeg?fit=800%2C534&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-11478\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/april-closeup.jpeg?w=2048&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/april-closeup.jpeg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/april-closeup.jpeg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/april-closeup.jpeg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/april-closeup.jpeg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/april-closeup.jpeg?resize=1200%2C800&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/april-closeup.jpeg?w=1600&amp;ssl=1 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-66d5e19 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"66d5e19\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>April\u2019s journey in music has been defined by a deep love for Arabic music and culture. From her early fascination with the drums to co-founding the New York Arabic Orchestra and using music as a therapeutic tool, she has witnessed the profound impact music can have on people&#8217;s lives. As she looks ahead, she carries with her a powerful message of hope and connection, seeking to touch hearts and bridge cultural divides through the universal language of music. As she prepares to release a new album, her journey continues to evolve. She travels the world, performing and sharing the power of music with as many people as possible.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-307939f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"307939f\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b8fee7e\" data-id=\"b8fee7e\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2b8e5c1 elementor-post-navigation-borders-yes elementor-widget elementor-widget-post-navigation\" data-id=\"2b8e5c1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"post-navigation.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post-navigation\" role=\"navigation\" aria-label=\"Post Navigation\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post-navigation__prev elementor-post-navigation__link\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post-navigation__separator-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post-navigation__separator\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post-navigation__next elementor-post-navigation__link\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/al-rawiya.com\/ar\/chloe-khoury-story-1-omar\/\" rel=\"next\"><span class=\"elementor-post-navigation__link__next\"><span class=\"post-navigation__next--label\">Next<\/span><span class=\"post-navigation__next--title\">\u0643\u0644\u0648\u064a \u062e\u0648\u0631\u064a \u2013 \u0627\u0644\u0642\u0635\u0629 \u0627\u0644\u0623\u0648\u0644\u0649 | \u0639\u0645\u0631<\/span><\/span><span class=\"post-navigation__arrow-wrapper post-navigation__arrow-next\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-angle-left\"><\/i><span class=\"elementor-screen-only\">Next<\/span><\/span><\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>APRIL CENTRONELove for Percussion Leading to Arabic Music and Co-Founding an Orchestra Drawn to the drums, April Centrone (@aprilcentrone) started music when she was just eight or nine years old, playing drums in the different bands school offered, such as orchestra, jazz band, theater pit band and marching band. The rhythmic beats matched her energetic [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":11471,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"elementor_header_footer","format":"standard","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[158],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11468","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-riwayetna"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Riwayetna-April-Centrone.png?fit=1080%2C1080&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/al-rawiya.com\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11468","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/al-rawiya.com\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/al-rawiya.com\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/al-rawiya.com\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/al-rawiya.com\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11468"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/al-rawiya.com\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11468\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11490,"href":"https:\/\/al-rawiya.com\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11468\/revisions\/11490"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/al-rawiya.com\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11471"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/al-rawiya.com\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11468"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/al-rawiya.com\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11468"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/al-rawiya.com\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11468"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}