Aya Khalaf
| Aya Khalaf | |
|---|---|
| Born | 10 May 1996 Jatt, West Bank |
| 🏫 Education | Hebrew University of Jerusalem |
| 💼 Occupation | |
Aya Jamil Khalaf (born 10 May 1996) is a Palestinian musician. She also and researches traditional Palestinian music, musical documentation, and folklore.[1]
Early life and education
Aya Khalaf was born and raised in the West Bank village of Jatt and resides in Jerusalem. She studied Eastern music in the Department of Music and Dance at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where she earned her bachelor's degree in Eastern Music.[1] While at university, she also worked as a teacher in Jerusalem and the Palestinian territories.[1]
Career
Alongside her artistic and research pursuits, Khalaf works in early childhood music education, teaching and lecturing on music. She is also involved in musical and community projects with Palestinian children in Jerusalem and numerous other Palestinian cities and villages.[citation needed]
She presents Palestinian folklore and traditional songs by blending authenticity with modern arrangement styles, and she participates in local and international national and cultural events.[citation needed]
Artistic and research activity
Khalaf's work focuses on traditional Arabic and Palestinian music and the relationship between folk songs and both individual and collective memory. Throughout her studies and career, she has engaged in collecting oral songs and musical materials, listening to the personal accounts of their holders and their socio-cultural contexts.[citation needed]
Khalaf pays special attention to elderly Palestinian women as primary keepers of oral musical memory.[1] She documents songs passed down by women within families and villages associated with various daily life occasions, such as weddings, henna ceremonies, work, and social gatherings. She views folk songs not merely as a melody or lyrical text, but as carriers of information about places, society, customs, and human experiences.[citation needed]
Aya Khalaf's vision treats Palestinian musical heritage as a living practice open to reimagining rather than a fixed historical artifact. Through her work, she seeks to present traditional Palestinian music within contemporary contexts while preserving its deep roots and cultural setting.[citation needed]
She is also committed to making this heritage accessible to new generations, especially given social shifts that have led to a decline in certain forms of folk singing and traditional musical practices. Her experience bridges research, documentation, musical performance, and education, driven by a dedication to preserving Palestinian musical memory and presenting it in ways that ensure its continuity and relevance in the present.[citation needed]
Music
Aya Khalaf has released numerous singles and traditional and national medleys that have gained widespread popularity across social media and music streaming platforms, most notably:
Projects
- "Yalla Laffa" Project (2021): A project aimed at reviving the Old Market in Jerusalem amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Akhar Layla bi-Hal-Dar (The Last Night in This House): Khalaf's first self-directed musical theatrical work addressing henna rituals and Palestinian women's singing heritage.
- Bukra Jay (Tomorrow is Coming): A new musical work by Aya Khalaf with lyrics by Zahi Wehbe.
Songs
- "Palestinian Freedom Medley" (2021); a collective musical work featuring a collection of national and traditional songs.
- "Ya Zarif Al-Toul" (2021)
- "ميلي ميلي ('Mili Mili', 2023)
- "قولوا لإمه" ('Gholo L-Ummi', 2023)
- "محلى بلادنا" ('Mahla Bladna', 2024); an original song by Khalaf, featuring artist Murad Swaity.
- "حيّد عن الجيشي" ('Hayyed An Al-Jayshi', 2024)
- "Ramadan Hal Aleyna" (2026)
- "حناك" ('Henak', 2026)
- "Yihrim Alay Al-Nawm" (2026)
- "يا صلاتك" ('Ya Salatak', 2026)
- "سبل عيونه" ('Sbal Oyouno', 2026)
- "Hay Yamma Wada'eeni" (2026)
Festival and event appearances
- "Mil Tilana" Performance at Yabous Cultural Centre, Jerusalem (2021).
- "Returning to Lifta" Day, Lifta (2021).
- "Palestine and International Law" Conference (February 2022).[2]
- Tanweer Festival 2 in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (November 2025)[3][4]
- Evening Concert in Amman, Jordan (August 2023)
- Concert at the Cherry Hall, San Francisco, United States (October 2026)[5]
- Concert at the "Hambara" Hall, Chicago, United States (October 2026)[5]
- Olive and Olive Oil Festival, Nahf (2026)
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Abusidu, Eman (2021-08-17). "Meet Aya Halaf, a Palestinian singer and teacher keeping her heritage alive". Middle East Monitor. Archived from the original on 2026-05-27. Retrieved 2026-09-11.
- ↑ Law4Palestine (2022-02-10). Palestinian Folklore Music Session with Aya Khalaf, Oriental Music Practitioner from Haifa. Retrieved 2026-09-11 – via YouTube.
- ↑ "Grammy and Oscar-winning musical legend AR Rahman to perform in Tanweer Festival". Gulf Today. 2025-10-14. Retrieved 2026-09-11.
- ↑ "Schedule". tanweerfestival.com. Retrieved 2026-09-11.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Aya Khalaf Benefit Concert Featuring the Palestinian Youth Ensemble". Tzkrti. Retrieved 2026-09-11.
External links
- Aya Khalaf on IMDb
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