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Kareem Roustom is a Syrian-American composer who has made a significant impact on the world of classical music. Born in Damascus, Syria in 1971, Roustom grew up in a family that valued music and the arts. His father was a musicologist and his mother was a painter, and they encouraged their son to pursue his passion for music from a young age. Roustom began his musical education at the age of six, studying the oud, a traditional Middle Eastern stringed instrument. He later learned to play the piano and the violin, and began composing his own music as a teenager. In 1990, he moved to the United States to attend Oberlin College, where he studied composition with Randolph Coleman and Richard Hoffmann. After graduating from Oberlin in 1994, Roustom went on to earn a master's degree in composition from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. He then moved to Los Angeles, where he worked as a composer for film and television. During this time, he also continued to compose classical music, and his works began to gain recognition in the classical music world. One of Roustom's most notable works is his Symphony No. 1, "Aleppo," which was commissioned by the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra and premiered in 2016. The symphony is a tribute to the city of Aleppo, Syria, which has been devastated by the Syrian civil war. Roustom drew on his own memories of Aleppo, as well as traditional Syrian music, to create a powerful and moving work that has been praised for its emotional depth and beauty. Another of Roustom's notable works is his Clarinet Concerto, which was commissioned by the Seattle Symphony and premiered in 2013. The concerto was written for the Syrian clarinetist Kinan Azmeh, and draws on both Western classical music and Middle Eastern musical traditions. The work has been praised for its virtuosity and its ability to bridge cultural divides. In addition to his classical compositions, Roustom has also written music for film and television. He has worked on a number of documentaries, including the award-winning film "The Mosque in Morgantown," and has composed music for the popular television series "The Blacklist." Throughout his career, Roustom has been committed to promoting cross-cultural understanding through music. He has collaborated with musicians from a wide range of cultural backgrounds, and has worked to bring Middle Eastern musical traditions to Western audiences. His music has been performed by orchestras and ensembles around the world, and he has received numerous awards and honors for his work. In addition to his work as a composer, Roustom is also a dedicated educator. He has taught composition at the University of California, Los Angeles, and has given masterclasses and workshops at universities and conservatories around the world. He is passionate about sharing his knowledge and experience with the next generation of composers and musicians. In conclusion, Kareem Roustom is a highly accomplished composer who has made a significant impact on the world of classical music. His works draw on both Western classical music and Middle Eastern musical traditions, and he is committed to promoting cross-cultural understanding through his music. With his dedication to education and his commitment to artistic excellence, Roustom is sure to continue making important contributions to the world of music for many years to come.

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