About Ahmad
Ahmad Al Khatib was born in 1974 in a Palestinian refugee camp in Irbid, Jordan. He started his musical journey at an early age. As a child, he learned to play the violin in school, before moving on to learning the Oud (Oriental Lute) under the supervision of the Palestinian musician Ahmad Abed Qassim.
After completing high school, he joined Yarmouk University, where he studied musicology and Western Classical Cello with the Japanese Cello teacher Moto Takao.
In 1990 and 1991 Ahmad was awarded first prize in multiple Oud solo competitions.
Graduating with honors in 1997, Ahmad moved to Ramallah, Palestine, to work in the Department of Oriental Music at the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music in Ramallah and East Jerusalem, followed by appointing him the director of the same department.
In April 2002, the political situation in Ramallah deteriorated by the invasion of the Israeli army and reoccupying many Palestinian towns and cities, tightening restrictions on movement.
Due to this Ahmad's visa renewal was rejected and he was forced to leave Palestine in the same year.
Despite this, Ahmad continued to work for the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music from abroad. He prepared and published, in cooperation with the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music and Birzeit University, five innovative instruction books for the Oud, and five works of musical transcription for modern Arabic composers, titled “Sharqiat”, which have now become references for musical instruction.
In 2004, Ahmad received a scholarship to complete his studies in Sweden. Where he achieved a master’s in Musical Education Methodology from the University of Gothenburg.
Later the same year, Ahmad released his first solo album Sada “Resonance” containing melodies of his creations reflecting his alienation and nostalgia during that time.
Over the years, Ahmad has formed and led many musical groups and ensembles, starting with Karloma in 1999, which comprises other teachers from the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music. Sabil with the Palestinian percussionist Youssef Hbeisch. Samara with a group of Nordic musicians. Sada trio, Bosphorus Orchestra, and many other musical groups from different origins and roots provide an exceptional experience for a musical blend with oriental music.
Currently, Ahmad is working as a lecturer at the Academy of Music and Drama at University of Gothenburg, teaching Theory of Modal Music, Ear Training, Analyses, and Ensembles (group playing and arrangement). In addition to being a visiting lecturer in many musical educational institutions around the world.