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Maqam & Taqasim Summer Intensive 2025
With the World Leading Maqam & Taqsim Mentor Maya Youssef
A transformative in person 5-day intensive for instrumentalists and singers ready to master maqam, create an authentic taqasim and make decades worth of progress
in just 5 powerful days.
No maqam knowledge, boring theory, official training, or fancy technique required.
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.
Amy Moore
Music Teacher
USA
This is for you if:
🔴You’ve spent years practicing Arabic music, but taqsim still feels like a mystery and you are ready to crack the code..
🔴You’ve read the books, practiced the scales, copied recordings... and still feel like you're faking it.
🔴You’ve been told “taqsim can’t be taught”—but something inside you never believed that.
🔴You’ve always known taqsim is a skill, not a gift— you just needed the right method.
🔴You want to express your innermost emotions, not just play random notes.
🔴You're ready to play a confident authentic taqsim that feels like yours— without copying.
🔴You’re ready to experience tarab—and to give your listeners the kind of transcendent musical emotion they’ll never forget.
As long as you're comfortable on your instrument, this is for you—Arab or non-Arab, classically trained or self-taught.
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!
This is What You Will Learn In This A Once-a-Year, Transformational Experience
This is the only in-person retreat I run each year, and last year’s event sold out fast. Most of the 10 available spots are already taken by returning students—so if you’re reading this, this is your opportunity.
Over five immersive days, you’ll learn:
🔴The easiest and fastest way to learn maqam using the revolutionary Maqam Building Block Method
🔴Step by step improvisation techniques that make taqsim feel confident natural and fun not nerve-wracking.
🔴How to tap into tarab and express real emotion—not just play random notes.
🔴The Golden Age method: how the greats actually learned maqam & taqsim.
🔴How to instantly recognize maqamat by ear—even in highly ornamented or complex melodies.
🔴Ornamentation and advanced phrasing for each maqam—so your taqsim sounds authentic, expressive, and unmistakably rooted in tradition.
🔴Plus: Deep personalized mentorship, supportive peer connection, and real breakthroughs.
No boring theory. No gatekeeping. Just a clear, powerful method that works.
This Method Turned Me Into the Musician I Dreamed of
I started in my 30s with no music training and thought taqsim was only for professionals. I never imagined I could truly recognize maqamat by ear—let alone play a fluent, beautiful taqsim. Now, it feels like magic.
Maya’s step-by-step method made the impossible feel natural.
What once felt mysterious is now joyful, clear, and completely doable.
If you love Arabic music, this will unlock a part of you that you didn’t think was reachable.
Sara Abanamy
Writer
France
Maya Youssef: The World's Leading Maqam & Taqsim Mentor
I helped over 500 Arabic music enthusiasts from all over the world master maqam and taqsim without boring music theory, fancy technique or prior music knowledge.
Dubbed the “Queen of the Qanun” by the BBC, I’m an internationally acclaimed, multi-award-winning performer, composer, and educator. Recognized as an Exceptional Talent by the UK Government & Arts Council England, I have performed at the world’s top venues, from the Royal Albert Hall to WOMAD.
Whether you wish to learn taqsim for your personal enjoyment or for performing on stage, my Summer Intensive 2025 will fast-track your progress, giving you decades of mastery in just 5 days. This is your moment to immerse, accelerate, get inspired and unlock your full potential.
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For Over 30 Years, I Was Mystified by Maqam—Until Maya's Guidance Made It All Click!
Andrea Fishman
University Lecturer
USA
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.
Master Taqsim in Days—Not Decades
You feel called to express your emotions through Taqsim, but finding real, concrete tools has been impossible.
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“No one can teach you Taqsim. Just keep listening and playing.”
(But it’s not about how long you’ve been trying.)
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“Read maqam books and practice scales.”
(When learning Taqsim has nothing to do with technique or how many years you study theory.)
And yet you are still guessing.
Traditional methods demand 20 to 30 years of trial and error—with no guarantee you’ll ever get there.
But what if Learning Taqsim could be easy, fun, and effortless?
That’s why I’m beyond excited to offer this game-changing event. Thanks to my Taqasim Mastery System, you’ll 50x accelerate your progress in 5 short days, gaining the clarity, confidence, and tools to create your own authentic Taqsim—without the decades-long struggle.
What is included Inside Taqsim Intensive 2025
This is more than just a retreat. It’s five days that will redefine your relationship with Arabic music—and unlock your taqsim voice for life. Here’s everything you’ll receive:
Total Value: £15,500+ — But the transformation? Truly priceless.Your Investment:
Pay In Full
One - time payment
£ 5,500
3 Month Payment Plan
3 monthly payments of
£ 1900
6 Month Payment Plan
6 monthly payments of
£ 997
Applications Close In
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Or sooner if the final 3 spots go first.
Apply now to claim your spot. I’ll personally review your submission, then get in touch and and confirm your place within 48 hours.
From Confusion to Clarity: I Can Finally Play Taqsim
Roxy Stimpson
Qanunist, Ms Belly Dancer USA
USA
I Can Finally Play a Taqsim with Confidence!
Dominika Al Khodari
Oud Player & Composer
Poland
Frequently Asked Questions:
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99% of My Students Have No Theory, No Fancy Technique—And Full-Time Jobs.
And yet, they’ve fast-tracked their maqam and taqsim mastery—achieving in five days what usually takes decades of struggle.
Here’s What Happens When You Finally Crack the Code.
This Method Demystified Maqam For Me
Ibada Abdul
Canada
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.
“I never thought I could play taqsim. Now I can and it feels like magic.”
— Yaman K
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
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This isn’t just about music. It’s about finally belonging in the tradition you love and finding your voice inside it.
Because mastering taqsim isn’t just a skill.
It’s your way of coming home to the music, and to yourself.
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@Copyright 2025 Taqasim Mastery, All rights reserved. Maya Youssef