World Music & Global Sounds
Where every culture finds its rhythm.
The World Music & Global Sounds program at OC Music & Dance introduces students to musical traditions from Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and Latin America through hands-on performance, improvisation, and cultural study — including our newest offering, Mariachi.
World Music & Global Sounds courses are offered as private lessons, with each instructor leading a weekly session that combines instrumental and vocal study, ensemble performance, music theory, and music technology. Our Mariachi program is currently offered as a group class.
Open to all ages and skill levels — including musicians with a Western instrumental background looking to expand their musical vocabulary.
Instruments Currently Offered:
Buzuq
Arabic Percussion
Latin American Percussion
West African Percussion
Western Percussion
World Music Composition
Electric Bass
And More
Meet Our World Music & Global Sounds Faculty
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Jiryis Ballan
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Sebastian Nasser
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Spencer Pepke
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Joao Martins
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Through hands-on learning and cross-cultural exploration, students build technical ability, broaden their artistic perspective, and gain a deeper appreciation for the diversity and richness of global music traditions.
MEET OUR WORLD MUSIC
ARTISTIC TEAM
JIRYIS BALLAN
Jiryis Ballan is a composer, producer, ethnomusicologist, and educator whose work bridges Arabic musical traditions, contemporary composition, and emerging technologies.
