World Sounds, Community Voices with Behrang Nikaeen (Oct-Dec 2026)
Dates: Thursdays, October 1-December 3, 2026
Start Time: 6:00 pm
Duration: 1.5 to 2 hours each session
Location: 10140 86 Avenue, Upper lounge (use the ramp on the north side of the building)
Fee: $200.00
Maximum session size: 10 participants
Requirements and Registration
- Requirements: Valid Community League membership (any league),
- Register and pay online see buttons below
World Sounds, Community Voices: Listening, Playing, and Creating Together
This 10-week community music program is designed for non-musicians and anyone with little or no musical background. No previous experience is needed.
In a friendly and low-pressure setting, participants will listen to music from different traditions, explore simple sounds and rhythms, and gradually make music together through voice, instruments, and accessible improvisation activities.
The program aims to build social connection through shared music-making, expand listening habits through unfamiliar musical traditions, encourage intercultural collaboration, and support participants in developing creative confidence.
By the end of the program, participants will work toward creating 3 to 5 simple group pieces, which may be informally recorded. The focus is not professional performance or technical perfection, but participation, creativity, collaboration, and the joy of making music together.
Note: a short introductory online session will be held before the program begins. During this session, participants can learn more about the program and ask any questions they may have.
Session Lead/Facilitator:
Behrang Nikaeen is an Edmonton-based musician and ethnomusicologist with a PhD in music from the University of Alberta. His work focuses on West Asian musical traditions, intercultural music-making, and accessible approaches to music-making for community members.
He plays Iranian tar, Kurdish tanbur, Kurdish daf, Turkish bendir, dayereh, and has experience in teaching, performance, community-engaged music-making, and care-setting music projects. His work aims to create welcoming spaces where people with different backgrounds and levels of experience can participate in music through listening, improvisation, and collective creativity.
For more information, please email behrangnikaeen@gmail.com.
Participation in most programs requires a Community League membership (more info below)
If you do not have a membership and live in Strathcona, you can join online as part of program registration – use the Membership selection on the menu bar above to add a membership to the cart before checkout.