Farah Siraj

Three Minutes, Three Questions

Our mission with this partnership and with Farah specifically is to help spread the message of ‘peace through music’,” says Nicole Cotton Leachman, managing director of the Faulkner Performing Arts Center at the University of Arkansas.

She’s talking about a performance set for Nov. 9 by Farah Siraj, an internationally acclaimed vocalist who is equally well known for her fusion of musical styles and her humanitarian efforts.

“Not only do we strive to celebrate our growing cultural expansion in Northwest Arkansas, but we also feel it is our responsibility to help educate our community and campus on the positive impact music and the arts can play in cultural change and awareness,” Cotton-Leachman adds. “This is our first endeavor with the King Fahd Center, and we are looking forward to working with them during our threeyear partnership.”

Siraj, whose music has been described as a marriage of traditional Middle Eastern music, jazz, flamenco and pop, took a moment from her international schedule to answer a few questions for What’s Up!

What influenced your decision to become a musician?

When I was 3 years old, my mother signed me up as a singer in a children’s chorus. The moment I got on stage for our first performance, I was hooked! I was only 3, but my mother saw my eyes light up and knew that music would be in my future.

At what moment did you realize you had “made it”?

I have never had a moment where I have felt that I have “made it,” because as an artist you always want to be moving forward, and humility is very important to keep you grounded. Every experience in your career is a step forward. There are definitely moments in my career that are very special to me, and those include performing at the United Nations and being recognized for my humanitarian work through music, as well as performing at the Nobel Peace Prize Forum, Kennedy Center and Lincoln Center. Of course, collaborating with musicians around the world is one of the joys of creating music.

How does music help spread your message of peace?

Music moves people. Through music I aim to raise awareness about humanitarian causes and to inspire people to make positive changes in their lives and the lives of others.

Courtesy Photo “As an artist, I am particularly sensitive to the suffering of other humans, and animals as well, and try to bring awareness about it through my music,” says vocalist Farah Siraj. She’ll perform Nov. 9 in Fayetteville.