Authentic Frequencies From the Arab World | Moza Al Is’haq, Dana Al Fardan & Dana Al Meer

The regional music industry is entering a new era of global influence. Moza Al-Hajri, Dana Al Fardan, and Dana Al Meer provide an inside look at how Qatar is positioning itself as a world-class hub for content creation and musical excellence. They discuss cultural influences in their work, the responsibility of artists as storytellers, and how creative spaces can nurture emerging voices. From the technical mastery required to produce a multi-song FIFA World Cup album to the preservation of traditional seafaring heritage within symphonic compositions, these leaders are defining a unique Arab voice for the international stage.

 

01:24 Introduction

02:08 Katara Studios and its Role in Music Production

06:33 Dana Al Meer and the Music Lab Creative Hub

08:32 Dana Al Fardan: Composition and Neoclassical Storytelling

11:01 Building a Regional Music Ecosystem and Global Hub

13:39 Legacy and Development of the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra

15:37 Overcoming Personal and Community Challenges as an Artist

18:53 Education and the Future of Performance Arts in Qatar

20:31 Incorporating Traditional Qatari Music into Global Art Forms

22:44 Behind the Scenes of the FIFA World Cup 2022's Music Production

29:00 Creating the First FIFA World Cup Official Album

31:37 Training Global Talent

35:36 Defining a Signature Sound and Identity for the Region

41:55 Audience Q&A: Career Highlights and Collaboration

52:11 Advice for Young Musicians in a Digital Age

57:04 Closing Remarks

 

Dana Al Fardan is a Qatari composer, songwriter and symphonic artist whose work bridges Arab heritage and Western contemporary classical music. As Qatar's first female contemporary composer to gain international recognition, she acts as a cultural ambassador, connecting audiences across cultures. Her musicals “Broken Wings” (West End, 2018) and “Rumi: The Musical” (London Coliseum, 2021) introduced Middle Eastern narratives to global stages. She also scores films, including “Orca” and “The Necromancer”, and collaborates across genres. Her latest orchestral album “Tempest” inspired by Qatar's maritime and pearl-diving legacy, premiered with the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra at Katara Opera House.

 

Connect with Dana Al Fardan 👉 https://instagram.com/danaalfardan.dna

 

Dana Al Meer is a Qatari singer, composer, and cultural ambassador known for performing at the 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2023 AFC Asian Cup ceremonies. She is the director of Music Lab Qatar, an institute that promotes cultural education and nurtures young talent. In September 2025, she won third place at the Intervision Song Contest in Russia for her song “Huwa Dha Anta”. 

 

Connect with Dana Al Meer 👉 https://instagram.com/itsdanaalmeer

 

Moza Al Is’haq is the Chief Operating Officer of Katara Studios, a Doha-based film and media production company. The studio operates as part of Qatar’s growing creative industry, focusing on producing projects that highlight Arab and Qatari stories for international audiences.

 

Connect with Moza Al Is’haq 👉 https://instagram.com/mozaissac

Hosted by:

Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gb

 

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