Mayssa Karaa Biography

Mayssa Karaa is a Lebanese-American Grammy-nominated vocalist and songwriter celebrated for her multi-octave voice and distinctive fusion of Middle Eastern and Western music. She rose to international recognition with her Arabic rendition of “White Rabbit” on the American Hustle soundtrack, and as lead vocalist on Expo 2020 Dubai’s official anthem, “This is Our Time,” alongside Hussain Al Jassmi and produced by Grammy-winner Greg Wells. She also made history performing with Andrea Bocelli as the first artist to sing in Arabic at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi.

Mayssa is the Artistic Director at Berklee College of Music’s campus in Abu Dhabi and a Berklee alumna. Berklee is known as the world’s pre-eminent institute of contemporary music, dance, and theater. She was also the Artistic Director of the Dubai Expo 2020 all-female “Firdaus Orchestra” initiative under the patronage of Oscar-winning producer AR Rahman.Mayssa has appeared in the PBS special Enrico Caruso: His Life, His Music, His Cities filmed in Italy alongside Plácido Domingo, and she is widely recognized as the voice of the Arabic Alphabet Song for Sesame Street’s Middle East edition, “Iftah Ya Simsim.” 

Her performances have spanned the globe, from Hollywood to Bollywood and across the United States, Canada, Europe, and the Middle East, appearing on world-class stages such as the Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam, the Beiteddine Festival, UNESCO Paris, and the Etihad Arena to name a few. Through both her original songs and her cross-cultural interpretations, she carries a message of empowerment, cultural connection, and musical excellence.