Syrian oud player/composer Rihab Azar brings technical mastery and innovative vision to Arab classical music. In 2014, she was the first woman solo oudist to perform accompanied by the Syrian National Orchestra for Arabic Music, the same year she graduated from the Conservatoire of Damascus. Having enjoyed years of successful concerts and tours with the groundbreaking Syrian Female Oriental Takht (2006-2015), she moved to London on a scholarship to study for a Music Education MA at UCL. Arts Council England recognised her as an “Exceptional Promise” artist. Beyond performance, she is an advocate for cultural dialogue and change, teaching music to children at schools, leading community music workshops and engaging in writing and conversations about decolonisation and social justice. Rihab is releasing her debut album of original music in Spring 2026, having been a recipient of a grant from the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture.