About Ramy Adly
About Ramy Adly
Institutional Profile
The Enterprise of Ramy Adly
Institutional Profile
The Enterprise of Ramy Adly
Ramy Adly
Musician
about Ramy Adly
Ramy Adly
about Ramy Adly
Ramy Adly
Ramy began learning the oud under the guidance of his grandfather and quickly distinguished himself as a talented player at a young age. A turning point
in his journey came when he encountered Iraqi oud master Naseer Shamma, whose performance and style deeply inspired him. Ramy found in the Iraqi
school of oud a refined, theatrical, and globally adaptable technique then other styles, an approach he believed could help modernize and elevate
Egyptian and Arab music traditions on the world stage. At the same time, he remained strongly influenced by Egyptian musical composition, which had
long led the Arab world’s cultural tastes through legendary figures.
He saw Cairo not only as the heart of Arab art but as the capital of modern oud playing in the Middle East, and he viewed his work as part of that legacy.
Achievements
Achievements of Ramy Adly
Achievements
Achievements of Ramy Adly
2006
Ramy moved to Cairo to immerse himself fully in the country’s rich artistic environment and enrolled in the prestigious Arabic Oud House (دوعلا تيب يبرعلا). He graduated with high honors in 2010, passing one of the school’s most rigorous jury exams, which included respected maestros such as Selim Sahab, Tamer Ashour, Atef Rashed, and the attendees Oud players including Oud master Naseer Shamma. His graduation concert was a media sensation, as he showcased a distinctive style that combined the Egyptian, Iraqi, and broader Arabic techniques demonstrating his ability to perform any musical genre on the oud with mastery
2010
In parallel with his music studies, Ramy also earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Assiut University in 2010. This foundation later enabled him to excel not only as an artist but also as a pioneering entrepreneur.
2012
To continue his artistic and personal development, Ramy moved to the United States in 2012 to study global theatrical performance at the University of Hawaii, where he quickly rose to prominence as the most recognized oud player in the state. During this period, he performed in several theatrical productions and composed his first American oud piece titled “A Sense of Victory”
2019
In 2019, Ramy took another significant step forward by studying investment and finance at Harvard Business School Online. His education at Harvard empowered him to bridge the worlds of music and business, laying the groundwork for global, high-impact music ventures that combine creativity with entrepreneurship.
Solo Performer Award
2009
Solo Performer Award
2009
In 2009, Ramy Adly received the Best Solo Performer Award from Assiut University following a performance on the university’s main stage. In that concert, he performed iconic Egyptian compositions by Sayed Darwish, Mohamed Abdel Wahab, and Umm Kulthum, alongside original works of his own. His performance impressed the university leadership, resulting in a personal invitation from the university president to collaborate with Naseer Shamma and the Arabic Oud House Ensemble for a special concert.
Ramy moved to Cairo to study at the prestigious Arabic Oud House (بيت العود العربي), graduating with high honors in 2010 after passing one of its most rigorous jury exams before maestros Selim Sahab, Tamer Ashour, Atef Rashed, and Oud master Naseer Shamma. His graduation concert became a media sensation, showcasing a unique style that blended Egyptian, Iraqi, and Arabic techniques, proving his mastery across musical genres.
theatrical music composition
2010
theatrical music composition
2010
In the field of theatrical music composition, Ramy composed the original score for the Spanish play Blood Wedding by Federico García Lorca. The production was staged at Al Gomhouria Theater in Cairo in 2010, under the direction of Spanish director Rafael Moticato, with a cast of both Egyptian and Spanish actors. The work was a collaboration with the Spanish Embassy in Egypt, showcasing Egypt’s role on the international cultural stage.
Arabic Oud House
2011
Arabic Oud House
2011
Ramy Adly has a deep appreciation for various musical genres, arts, and literature, with a special affinity for Sufi music. He has drawn inspiration from mystical poets and thinkers like Jalal al-Din Rumi, Al-Hallaj, and Badr Shakir al-Sayyab. Among his Sufi musical interpretations is his composition “Itha Hajarta” (“If You Depart”), based on Al-Hallaj’s poetry. He also composed a spiritual Christian-Sufi work titled “A Pilgrim Toward Heaven”, and several original pieces such as “Zayt Dawood” (“The Oil of David”) and “Egyptian Music in Cairo Nights”, which he performed at Beit El-Harawi as part of the Arabic Oud House in 2011.
Day of War
2012
Day of War
2012
In 2012, Ramy composed the official film score for the American movie Day of War, directed by Hollywood filmmaker David Cunningham, with a screenplay by John Fusco . The director discovered Ramy during a solo oud concert in Hawaii, where his music, presented through the powerful voice of the oud, captivated audiences and conveyed the essence of the Middle East.
The performance marked a turning point in Ramy’s international film career.
History
In Music Business &
Entrepreneurship
History
In Music Business & Entrepreneurship
Washington Post
2015
Washington Post
2015
Ramy is committed to presenting the oud to American and global audiences in the same way that Ravi Shankar introduced the sitar and Yo-Yo Ma brought global recognition to the cello. In 2015, the Washington Post referred to him as “the greatest oud player in America” after his celebrated concert at the Kennedy Center.
The oud legend is coming to Washington
2017
The oud legend is coming to Washington
2017
He has performed on numerous major stages across the world. In 2017, The Economist named him one of the top five oud players of the 21st century. In another notable appearance, the Washingtonian Magazine described him as: “The oud legend is coming to Washington.”
Personal Life and Media Presence. Politico, a leading U.S. political and cultural magazine, announced Ramy Adly’s marriage to Jill Chappell Adly, a prominent American journalist and EMMY Award-winning media personality. Their partnership is often celebrated in both music and media circles.
The King of the Egyptian Oud
2022
The King of the Egyptian Oud
2022
In 2022, Ramy Adly was titled “The King of the Egyptian Oud” by Egyptian media after being featured by Bloomberg News, which recognized him not only as an exceptional oud player but also as a leading entrepreneur in the field of music. Bloomberg included Ramy among the top 50 most successful businesses in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic, calling his oud school “one of the most successful projects launched during the pandemic era.” Major Arab and Egyptian newspapers also praised Ramy for putting the oud on America’s musical map, hailing him as a visionary who merged Middle Eastern tradition with Western innovation. He is widely recognized as one of the most influential Middle Eastern artists who has taken the oud to a global level, both through original compositions and business innovation.
Ramy believes that artists, especially oud players, deserve to live and succeed just like any artist in Hollywood. According to him, an oud master possesses the same artistic depth as a pianist, actor, or film director the only difference is the oud comes from the East.
History
Projects and Global Collaborations
History
Projects and Global Collaborations
Mission Impossible
2023
Mission Impossible
2023
In 2023, Ramy Adly contributed both oud and iOud performances to the official theme music of the film Mission Impossible, in collaboration with American artist Lyle Moore. This remarkable achievement positioned the oud at the center of a major Hollywood production, highlighting its versatility and global relevance.
Additionally, Ramy played the main instrument for the official theme music for the Abu Dhabi Club, once again in collaboration with Lyle Moore, further solidifying his role in bringing Middle Eastern music to prestigious international platforms
School of Oud Online
Establishing the First Global University for the Oud
School of Oud Online
School of Oud Online
Establishing the First Global University for the Oud School of Oud Online
- Ramy Adly founded what is considered the first university-level institution dedicated entirely to the oud, offering a full academic program entirely online in both Arabic and
English. His goal was to make oud education accessible worldwide—beyond rigid, traditional academic models. - He named it School of Oud Online – The Certificate Program, resulting creating real stage players and Oud instructors capable of performing and teaching for living in the
highest level than any other music academy in the world in terms of educational quality, reach, and accessibility for the Oud instrument.
A Global Reach from the Heart of Washington, D.C.
- The School was launched from Washington, D.C. area, specifically from Arlington, VA, USA, and quickly grew to accept students from across the globe without distinction or
barriers. - Students joined from: The Arab World: Egypt, Iraq, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar
- Europe: Switzerland, Germany, Turkey, France, England, Israel
- Other Countries: Russia, Korea, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Zimbabwe
- All across the United States
- Ramy Adly personally teaches and supports all students, using modern technology to break both geographic and language barriers.
Flexible Tuition & Cutting-Edge Technology
- The School offers flexible tuition options to accommodate all backgrounds and also provides scholarships and pre-recorded masterclasses to maximize accessibility for its
on-demand certificate program, Mass Course production. - Leveraging high-end tech, students receive top-quality lessons and are even given access to affordable oud instruments, helping them stay motivated and committed to
their practice.
The First 7-layered Written
Curriculum for the Oud
The First 7-layered Written Curriculum for the Oud
Ramy authored the first of written curriculum for the oud with 7 layers of explained work, history, ethnomusicology methods that created to the
world, currently under publication. This book outlines his proprietary notation system and organizes learning into seven progressive layers,
including technique, sound, expression, and musical interpretation.
It covers four major oud schools: The Iraqi style. The Egyptian style. The Gulf/Khaliji style. The Turkish style
Historically, the oud was taught primarily by ear, so this formal written method represents a revolutionary step in the instrument’s evolution and
accessibility.
Collaborations and
Cultural Exchange
Collaborations and Cultural Exchange
Ramy also invited Iraqi oud master Naseer Shamma to participate in some of the School of Oud Online’s courses, giving
students the rare opportunity to learn directly from his compositions and artistic legacy. These sessions often featured
accompaniment by musicians from Egypt and the Arab world, enriching the student experience.
Upon completion of each of the nine courses, students receive an official graduation certificate, making this one of the
most structured and recognized online music education programs for the oud in the world.
iOud –
Technological Innovation in the Oud
iOud – Technological Innovation in the Oud
Ramy introduced a groundbreaking innovation in the oud world: the creation of iOud, the first digital oud that allows musicians
to play the oud through a computer interface, much like digital pianos or guitars.
He holds the intellectual property, patented rights for this invention, which opened new doors for digital recording, music production,
and remote performance using the oud. This innovation was presented to the international market in 2018, alongside affordable oud
instruments to support students and fans of the School of Oud Online in owning and practicing with the instrument.
A Deep Belief in the Power of Theatre and Art
A Deep Belief in the Power of Theatre and Art
Ramy strongly believes in the human and economic value of theatre and performance, as art unites audiences and allows the world to
speak one universal language. In his view, a single performer or musician can represent their entire region or country, creating cultural
and economic impact far beyond the stage. He often highlights how an artist’s success benefits not just themselves, but also supports:
Sound engineers, local police, hospitals, fuel stations, media outlets, technicians, and the entire economic ecosystem that surrounds the
world of art.
Ramy Adly’s Musical Works for the Oud
Ramy Adly has introduced the oud to listeners across six diverse musical genres,
demonstrating that the instrument is fully capable of
performing on a global scale, alongside the world’s most recognized musical forms.
Ramy Adly’s Musical Works for the Oud
Ramy Adly has introduced the oud to listeners across six diverse musical genres, demonstrating that the instrument is fully capable of performing on a global scale, alongside the world’s most recognized musical forms.
The Oud as an Arabic Solo Instrument
Ramy has presented the oud in solo performances, similar to a master violinist, showcasing its ability to lead a full concert on stage. His solo concerts highlight the oud as a stand-alone instrument
capable of delivering complete musical experiences. In fact his concerts was on same stages that stood on it Bavaratie and YoYo Ma and others before him.
Jazz Music
Ramy composed and performed original jazz compositions in collaboration with Canadian jazz musician Bonnie Glazier from Cirque du Soleil. This innovative fusion between the oud and jazz resulted
in a unique cross-genre experience.
Rock Music
In 2022, Ramy released a rock-inspired composition titled “Tomorrow is Better.”, In 2016, he performed a special oud arrangement of “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin. he performance was
featured by The Society of Rock, which described it as: “The best version ever played of this historic song.”
Classical Music
Ramy released the album “The Siege – From the Epic Music”, considered one of the most technically challenging musical works of its time.
Traditional Egyptian Music
Ramy recorded a full album dedicated to Egyptian heritage titled “Vintage”, featuring works by pioneering Egyptian musicians. The album was created to revive and honor the legacy of traditional
Egyptian music on stage.
The Most Challenging Oud Compositions in History
In his album “Solo”, Ramy performed some of the most complex oud pieces ever written, alongside his original compositions.
One of the standout pieces is “A Sense of Victory”, which showcases his high technical mastery and ranks him among the top contemporary oud artists worldwide.