Improvise With Soul 2026
Unlock Your Unique Voice With Authentic Improvisation In Two Days.
Express your heart and soul with Arabic music and finally create transcendental moments of Tarab. Collapse 30 years of frustration into 2 days of authentic expression—Even if you don't know theory, weren't born with "Arab genes" and don't have fancy technique.
July 18–19 2026 Optional: VIP Day July 20th 2026
Royal Academy of Music, London UK
Optional: VIP Day July 20th 2026
A Life Changing Event
Maya is a master teacher, and she pushes you to the limit of your abilities in such a gentle way that you just are always expanding and growing.
This opportunity to learn and think in a new musical vocabulary and a new musical language has been life changing.
❤️🙏🏼💕 Shukran, Maya!
Stop "faking "your improvisation and experience the transcendental state of Tarab
You’ve achieved success in your career, but in your music, you feel like a "perpetual tourist." You sit down to play, heart full of emotion, but your fingers only produce scales—cold, mechanical, and hollow.
You’re tired of the "just listen" advice that leads nowhere while the clock of your life keeps ticking.
The truth?
You don’t need more years.
You don't need to have wizard level technique.
You don’t need to be “born into it.”
You just need someone who can actually teach it.
This is that moment.
This is that method.
This is your invitation to finally express yourself with the music you love.
That's why I created the Improvise With Soul Event, to help you finally learn the language of Arabic music and create unique real authentic improvisations that express your heart and soul.
In just two days, you’ll collapse decades of frustration into clarity, confidence, and life-long musical transformation.
Hi I'm Maya Youssef
I’m the world’s leading Maqam & Taqsim mentor, and I help musicians, singers, and Arabic music enthusiasts master maqam and taqsim in a few months—without dry theory or needing any formal music training.
With over 37 years of experience with the qanun and Arabic music, I am a classically trained virtuoso and a multi-award-winning musician and composer. I’ve performed globally, been recognized as an Exceptional Talent, and the BBC calls me the “Queen of the Qanun.”
I’ve taught in top universities and helped hundreds of students from all over the world finally crack the maqam and taqsim code—regardless of their cultural background—even if they started with zero theory or only basic technique.
But what matters most?
I save my students decades of frustration and trial and error with my revolutionary Maqam and Taqsim Method, which makes maqam and taqsim accessible in a matter of days—or even hours.
In this two-day live intensive, I’ll share this method with you in person—so you can feel maqam and taqsim click in real time and experience this powerful transformation yourself.
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This is for you if:
🔴You’re a singer or instrumentalist who can play basic tunes; you don’t need fancy skills or know how to read sheet music—just the ability to to follow and play along.
🔴You’ve read the books, practiced scales, listened for hours, even copied other people’s taqasim—yet maqam and taqsim are still a mystery. You’re ready for a proven method that actually works.
🔴You’ve heard the patterns and felt the magic, but it’s always just out of reach. You know taqsim isn’t a mystery—it’s a learnable skill—and you’re ready for the method that finally makes it click.
🔴You want to express your innermost thoughts and emotions with taqsim, not just play random notes.
🔴You're ready to play a confident authentic taqsim that feels like you— without sounding like a copy of someone else.
🔴You’re ready to learn the art and science of tarab creation so you can give your listeners that kind of transcendental experience they’ll never forget.
Real People. Real Results. No Theory Required.
Why This Method Works When Nothing Else Has
The traditional "Master-Apprentice" model was designed for children with decades to spare. It relies on "Osmosis"—the hope that if you sit in a room long enough, the magic will simply rub off on you. For the modern student, this isn't just slow; it's a recipe for burnout and "imposter syndrome."
This is different.
This is the only complete, structured system on the planet for learning maqam and taqsim that actually works—for beginners and advanced players alike.
This method is the result of decades of lived experience and thousands of hours teaching students from all over the world.
It’s not taught in conservatories.
Not found in books or YouTube.
Only here.
Because this method is so clear and streamlined,
you’ll feel the shift within hours—
and experience a full musical transformation in just two days.
Whether you're coming from a Western background…
or grew up around Arabic music but never understood it—
this will finally make it click.
This is What You Will Learn In This A Once-a-Year, Transformational Experience
I Can't Believe How Much I Learned – It Felt Like Years of Learning in Just Days
Before I met Maya, I was told to not bother with learning maqamat. If I just copied my teacher for a decade or two, I would eventually just «get it». Taqasim was no point trying. It was just for the chosen few.
The Taqasim Intensive week in London was incredible. I still can't believe how much we were able to do and learn during these days! The students were of different levels, and with different instruments, but Maya is amazing at catering for different levels and instruments in the same class.
Maya is a master at making complex issues easy to understand for everyone, without making it simplistic. No question is too small, and the environment she creates in her classes is very inclusive supportive and fun!
I went home after a transformative week with SO much knowledge, inspiration, motivation and materials to continue to play with and explore the beautiful art of taqasim in the years to come... I can't recommend it enough!
Lene Dalen
Qanun Player
Norway
This Method Turned Me Into the Musician I Dreamed of
Sara Abanamy
Writer
France
What is included Inside Summer of Taqsim 2026
This is more than just a retreat. It’s 2 days that will transform your understanding of Arabic music—and unlock your taqsim voice for life.
Core Experience: 18th-19th July Royal Academy of Music, London
- 2-Day In-Person Summer of Taqsim Experience
- Lifetime Access To My Revolutionary Maqam & Taqsim Home Study Courses
- Daily Gourmet Lunch
Investment:
One-time payment: £1,997
Secure Your Seat at the Royal Academy. This isn't just a workshop; it's the end of "guessing" and the beginning of your authentic voice. Investment: £1,997. (Compared to £25,000+ for years of private lessons that still leave you feeling like a fraud.)
VIP Experience: 18th-20th July Royal Academy of Music, London
Everything in the Core Experience, PLUS:
- Private VIP Day with Maya (July 20th)
A full day of deep personal mentorship—designed entirely around your musical needs, goals, and voice. This is where we go beyond breakthroughs into complete transformation.
Strictly limited to 5 people only.
- 60-Minute 1:1 With Maya
To help you prepare for transformational in person experience.
- VIP Front-Row Seating
Be fully seen, supported, and prioritized throughout the experience.
Investment:
Pay in Full: £5000
or
2 monthly payments of £2,750
Pay in Full: £5000
or
2 monthly payments of £2,750
My private students invest thousands for personal access.
This is your rare chance to work with me directly—at a fraction of the usual cost—inside a powerful in-person container.
Please note: travel and accommodation are not included.
ONLY 9 SPOTS AVAILABLE
Core Experience
- 2-Day In-Person Summer of Taqsim Experience
- Lifetime Access to Maqam & Taqsim Home Study Courses
- Daily Gourmet Lunch
Investment:
£1,997 (One-time payment)
ONLY 1 SPOT AVAILABLE
VIP Experience
Everything in Core PLUS:
- Private VIP Day with Maya (July 20th)
- 60-Min 1:1 Session Before the Event
- VIP Front-Row Seating
Investment:
£5,000 Pay in Full OR 2 payments of £2,750
For Over 30 Years, I Was Mystified by Maqam—Until Maya's Guidance Made It All Click!
For over 30 years, I was mystified by maqam and taqsim. When Maya explained it, a light went on—I finally understood it.
She breaks it down in a way that even someone as intimidated as I was could grasp and execute. I now understand the rules of taqsim and can improvise without fear.
Maya is a miraculous teacher with the patience, generosity, and clarity to guide anyone forward.
Andrea Fishman
University Lecturer
USA
From Confusion to Clarity: I Can Finally Play Taqsim
Before I worked with Maya, maqamat confused me.
But Maya taught me how to think about maqam, and that changed everything. Her method is structured, accessible, and easy to understand.
I never thought I’d be able to play a taqsim but I can now.
There are so many possibilities that opened up in this workshop… and I’m going home excited to practice more.
I Can Finally Play a Taqsim with Confidence!
Before working with Maya, I had strong technical skills—but taqsim felt completely unnatural. I struggled with it for years. Coming from a Western classical background, I was just playing notes without any real direction.
After a short time with Maya, I was improvising taqasim in different maqamat on the spot—with ease and confidence. My imposter syndrome vanished.
Now, my taqsim journey is unfolding with joy every week as I develop my own unique voice, all while staying true to the tradition.
Dominika Al Khodari
Oud Player & Composer
Poland
Frequently Asked Questions:
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Do it in 2 Days or in 2 Decades? The Choice is Yours
You are at a crossroads.
Choice A: Keep practicing scales, reading dry books, and hoping "one day" it clicks (while another year slips by).
Choice B: Come to London, borrow my 30 years of research, and walk out 48 hours later as the musician who finally understands the secret language of the heart.
What if you said yes to your expression this year?
What will that unlock for you?
By the end of this event, what changes is not merely your technique.
What changes is your relationship to expression itself.
Join Musicians & Singers From All Over The World Expressing Their Unique Authentic Voice With Arabic Music
This Method Demystified Maqam For Me
I always wanted to learn Arabic music theory but couldn’t find what I needed. Maya’s teaching finally helped it all make sense.
With her guidance, I can now recognize different maqamat by ear and create taqasim on any maqam. Her system is structured, supportive, and absolutely transformative.
If you’ve been struggling with maqam, you won’t believe how accessible Maya makes it.
Ibada Abdul
Canada
The Maqam Method is GENIUS!
I’ve always loved Arabic music, especially Muwashah, but never understood how it worked. I must be the least musically gifted person in class—and yet, I finally get it.
Maya’s delivery is amazing. Her Maqam Building Block method is pure genius. It’s opened the door to understanding music I love.
Huge thanks for making Arabic music feel truly accessible.
Amal Jallouq
journalist
UK
SCHEDULE
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If you’ve read this far, something in you already knows—this is your next step.
You’re done guessing.
Done copying.
Done wondering if you’ll ever “get it.”
Now, you are ready for the moment where everything clicks.
Improvise With Soul 2026 is that moment.
Not another course. Not another theory deep-dive.
This is the year you finally understand maqam.
This is where taqsim stops being a mystery—
and becomes your voice.
If you're ready, I’ll see you inside!
Click below to join me in London this July
@Copyright 2025 Taqasim Mastery, All rights reserved. Maya Youssef