Today's Edition
MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
From an aspiring young musician dabbling in the piano and flute to a trailblazer in music education, Tala Badri made history as the first female Emirati music graduate.
The musician is the founder and executive director of the Centre for Musical Arts (CMA), a community centre for music education and performance that caters to both children and adults across the UAE.
Her journey to this point was shaped by an unwavering promise to give back.
At 17, Badri was awarded a scholarship from His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid, who funded her music education in the UK with the promise that she would return to the UAE and apply her knowledge to benefit her community.
"That promise really drove me," Badri told Aletihad in a recent interview.
The Transformative Power of Music
Armed with a second degree in Management and Languages, Badri had initially carved out a successful career in the banking and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industries.
But she never lost touch with her musical roots; during her time in the corporate world, Badri continued to teach flute and piano regularly and remained involved in the performing arts community in Dubai.
Her passion for music took on a new meaning when she saw firsthand the transformative power music had on her autistic daughter.
"It gave her a voice," Badri recalls.
This turning point inspired Badri to set up a community centre in Dubai in 2006 with a vision to bring music to the people. Today CMA serves over 1,500 students and works with 43 schools across the UAE to further music education.
Badri's daughter is currently pursuing a master's in music in the UK, following in her mother's footsteps by becoming the second female Emirati music graduate.
Music as a Tool for Empowerment
For Badri, music education extends beyond artistic expression -it's a vehicle for empowerment.
"Music builds strong character. It gives young people an opportunity to experience the world in a different way," she said.
CMA's programs cater to both children and adults with a focus on personal development and mental well-being alongside musical training.
Badri believes that music nurtures essential life skills, from organisation and concentration to teamwork and social confidence.
"It develops skills that are transferable to every part of life," she said.
Over the years, Badri has witnessed a growing appreciation for music in the UAE, fostered by the development of various cultural spaces such as Dubai Opera, Abu Dhabi's cultural district, and Sharjah's Performing Arts Academy.
From the UAE to the World
CMA's musical education programmes look beyond national borders, encouraging students to connect with peers from different backgrounds.
"We take our ensembles and our orchestras around the world to perform and connect with musicians from other cultures," Badri noted.
These international tours, she believes, enable students to grow in confidence and proudly represent the UAE.
Badri recently participated in the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) and the startAD Impact Hub for Emirati Women Achievers (AWE 5.0 x EWA Bootcamp), an initiative designed to equip Emirati women with the skills and networks to scale their businesses globally.
The AWE. 5.0 x EWA Bootcamp was launched by StartAD, the Abu Dhabi-based global accelerator powered by Tamkeen and anchored at NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), in partnership with the United States Mission to the UAE.
"I learned a lot about how to expand globally, make connections and improve my pitching skills," Badri said.
"The mentorship and support I received were invaluable in helping me gain confidence and clarity about how to take CMA to the next level."
Looking ahead, Badri remains committed to expanding access to music education and nurturing the next generation of musicians in the UAE.
