ADMAF and Spain’s Queen Sofía College of Music sign letter of cooperation

The Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation (ADMAF) has signed a Letter of Cooperation with the Queen Sofía College of Music in Spain, confirming that both parties will seek opportunities to work together in the fields of performance and education, upholding the principles of cross cultural exchange and intercultural dialogue. The agreement was signed by H.E. Hoda I. Al Khamis-Kanoo, Founder of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF), and Paloma O'Shea Artiñano, 1st Marquise of O'Shea, Founder and Principal of the Queen Sofía College of Music, during a visit to the 18^th Paloma O'Shea International Piano Competition of Santander in Spain. The letter was signed in the presence of H.E. Jose Eugenio Salarich, Spanish Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates. This agreement builds on an existing relationship through which Ah Ruem Ahn, the Competition’s 2012 silver medallist, made her Arabian Gulf debut at the 2015 Abu Dhabi Festival.

“This agreement affirms the relationship between two leading cultural organisations committed to the development of music education and cross cultural dialogue. Using the universal language of music, we look forward to creating initiatives and platforms that not only transcend boundaries and borders but also make a significant contribution to the professional development of the music sector in the UAE and the wider Arab world.” - Hoda  I. Al Khamis-Kanoo, ADMAF Founder.

The Queen Sofía College of Music is a private music college founded in Madrid, Spain in 1991 by Paloma O’Shea. Their mission is to provide young Spanish musicians with a solid artistic education, while providing all necessary resources to teachers and students. This Letter of Cooperation recognises the shared strengths, principles and goals of both parties and provides a firm basis for cooperation and collaboration.

With a long-term vision, both parties have agreed to explore various collaborations that include recitals by artists from the College at the annual Abu Dhabi Festival. Opportunities will also be created for the presentation of Arab musicians at the Queen Sofía College of Music. Professors from the Queen Sofía College of Music will actively contribute to ADMAF’s music education plan and develop youth musicians in the UAE capital. Through such sharing of resources, both parties will foster communication, exchange and promotion of music to accelerate the development of musicianship in Abu Dhabi.

Paloma O’Shea, Founder and Principal of the Queen Sofía College of Music commented: “The agreement we have signed has been made possible because I have found in Mrs. Hoda Al Khamis-Kanoo, ADMAF Founder, identical values to those that have been present in all my activities connected with education and culture. I am convinced that this agreement will contribute to the closeness of two cultural worlds that, even though they might seem apart from each other, share a passion for music, youth and excellence.”

ADMAF continues to expand its network of international strategic partners, collaborating with many organisations from the non-profit cultural, education and health sectors as well as the private sector. Ensuring AMDAF’s work accesses and engages audiences across the whole of the UAE, this network helps strengthen ADMAF’s commitment to establishing Abu Dhabi as a hub of cultural exchange and innovation. This Letter of Cooperation represents the latest in a long-list of strategic partnerships that includes The Jordan Media Institute, Carnegie Hall, The Royal Opera House and the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel.