Photo: Izzeddin playing in a concert that was broadcast on television while he was a YES student.

Izzeddin Said (YES 2013-2014, West Bank, hosted by American Councils PO in Wausau, WI) started his journey into music at the age of eight. Ever since, music has joined him in all stages of his life.

Izzeddine plays the “Qanun,” a popular string musical instrument in the Middle East. Over the past few years, Izzeddine has represented Palestine and the Middle East in international events in Italy, Jordan, Turkey, and more, and he has won many musical awards.

While he was a YES student, Izzeddin rearranged four Arabic musical pieces for his host school’s orchestra. He played those pieces in concerts with the Wausau West High Orchestra, and the performances earned them four gold and two silver medals at statewide competitions. Izzedine was also proud to play one of the pieces he rearranged with a smaller band on a local TV channel.

Photos: (Left) Izzeddin playing Qanin on the campus of Birzeit University. (Right) Izzeddin playing in a school orchestra concert while on the YES program.

Currently, Izzeddin is studying mechanical engineering as a sophomore at Birzeit University. He stays connected to music as a leader in Birzeit University’s band. On New Year’s Eve, Izzeddin played the Qanun at a huge concert in Ramallah, where the headliner was 2012 Arab Idol winner, Carmen Suleiman. He hopes to find a connection between his passion for music and his academic focus as an engineer. Izzeddin’s big goal is to use his background in mechanical engineering to create a machine that can help musicians easily tune any stringed instrument.