Simon Shaheen is a violin virtuoso and contemporary composer who was born to a musical family in Israel. After taking up violin at age 5, he quickly demonstrated an affinity for the instrument and went on to pursue degree in music from Tel Aviv University before moving to the US to study at Columbia University and the Manhattan School of Music. He stood out among his peers for bringing traditional Arabic textures to Western classical music. Though he's helmed various ensembles, he is best-known as the leader of the group Qantara.
