APRIL CENTRONE
Love 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 personality perfectly, and with her family’s unwavering support, she delved deeper into this intense interest.
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.
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 “you are not going to want to come back, you are gonna fall in love with it”. 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.
But it wasn’t just about performing on stage; she wanted to share the transformative power of music with others. She had pursued a master’s degree in forensic psychology and worked at the children’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.
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’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’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’s hearts and instilling pride in Arab culture.
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. 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.
April’s 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’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.
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 personality perfectly, and with her family’s unwavering support, she delved deeper into this intense interest.
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.
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 “you are not going to want to come back, you are gonna fall in love with it”. 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.
But it wasn’t just about performing on stage; she wanted to share the transformative power of music with others. She had pursued a master’s degree in forensic psychology and worked at the children’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.
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’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’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’s hearts and instilling pride in Arab culture.
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. 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.
April’s 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’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.
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 personality perfectly, and with her family’s unwavering support, she delved deeper into this intense interest.
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.
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 “you are not going to want to come back, you are gonna fall in love with it”. 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.
But it wasn’t just about performing on stage; she wanted to share the transformative power of music with others. She had pursued a master’s degree in forensic psychology and worked at the children’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.
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’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’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’s hearts and instilling pride in Arab culture.
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. 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.
April’s 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’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.
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Karen Kawkab
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Karen Kawkab
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Karen Kawkab
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Karen Kawkab
