Kinan Abou-afach obtained his Masters Degree in Cello Performance from DePaul University - School of Music in Chicago, Where he studied with Stephen Balderston, assistant principal of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, working extensively on Cello solo repertoire; whilst he had the chance to work with Stephan Hirsch, Chris Costanza and Joseph Genualdi on the Chamber Music repertoire.Kinan also is a member of the International Musician Foundation and was a member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago between 2002 and 2004. Throughout his musical career, Kinan had the privilege to played under conductors like: Solhi Al-Wady, Cliff Colnot, Christopher Seaman, Roberto Abbado, Sir Andrew Davis, Pinchas Zuckerman, and soloists like Yo Yo Ma, Alex Klein and Larry Combs.
Kinan was born March 26, 1977 in Damascus, Syria. He commenced his musical studies at the age of seven with the Oud, learning traditional Arabic repertoire. At the age of eight he began studying the Cello under Pavel Coupin at the Arabic Institute of music; he later joind Rasi Abdullaiev studio one year later. At this institution he flourished into an equally-achieving Oud and Cello player. Music wasn't his only mode of expression. Along with his music, Kinan was immersed into the world of visual arts where he studies at the Fine Arts Academy in Damascus.
At the age of fifteen he studied cello under Valery Volkov, also he became member of the National Syrian Symphony Orchestra and the Middle-Eastern ensemble. By this age, he was invited to participate in domestic and foreign music events. In 1993, he received his First degree in cello and Oud performance in the music preparatory program of the Arabic Institute of Music. From 1994 to 1999 he studied to obtain his bachelor's degree majoring in cello performance with a minor in Oud performance at The Higher Institute of Music in Damascus, Syria. Kinan has performed as a soloist and chamber musician throughout the Middle-East, Europe and North America. He also has participated in master-classes with Francoise Baduell in 1997, Federico Romano in 1998, Yo-yo Ma in 1999, members of Alban Berg Quartet in 2002.
As a professional musician Kinan had performed, recorded and appeared with many well known musicians and ensembles like Youssou N’dour, Richard Young, Anne Harris, Alex Klien, Concertante de Chicago, the Chicago Children Choir, the Silk Road Project; and the Ducati Piano trio, performing in many of the United States prestigious Halls like: Isaac Stern Auditorium in Carnegie Hall (New York), Chicago Symphony Hall (Chicago), the Hot House (Chicago), Chicago Culture Center, Old Town School Of Folk Music (Chicago), Gusman Center for the Performing Arts (Florida), J.F. Kennedy Center (Washington DC), Leighton Concert Hall, and Royce Hall in Los Angelos.
Recent works, as a performr and composer:
- Composed the soundtracks for the movie "The Long Night" directed by Hatem Ali. (The movie won the Golden Tauro Award at Taormina Film Festival)
- Composed the soundtracks for the documentary movie "Where We Stand"
- Windy Clinard Dance theatre: Commissioned to compose and perform a 45 minutes theatre piece “Jondo Portraitsâ€Â
- The Silk Road Project (CD): Performer
- Las Guitarras De Espana (CD): Performed - last 2 releases
- Anne Harris (CD): Performer
- The Edwards Hospital Healing Art Program (CD): Performer
- Thomas Pace (CD): Performer.
