Rony Barrak is an internationally acclaimed Lebanese percussionist, a master of the Darbouka, and a multifaceted artist whose musical voice bridges cultures and traditions. A composer, arranger, pianist, and educator, his journey with rhythm began almost instinctively at the age of four—an early calling that would shape a remarkable career.
By the age of seven, his talent had already found the spotlight. His first television appearance led to a Gold Medal in a prestigious young musicians’ competition broadcast across Lebanon and the Middle East, marking the emergence of a prodigious artist with a distinct voice.
In 1990, Barrak moved to London, immersing himself in the world of Western classical and contemporary music. He studied orchestral percussion and drum kit at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, while further refining his craft at Morley College. His deep connection to both Eastern and Western traditions later led him to teach Middle Eastern percussion at Trinity College of Music, sharing his heritage with a new generation of musicians.
In 2000, Rony proudly became a British citizen and began an active international touring career, performing both with his own band and in collaboration with a wide range of artists across the UK and worldwide.
As a recording artist, Barrak has produced & released four acclaimed fusion albums:
- o Aramba (1999)
- o Karizma (Collaboration with Michel Fadel) (2005)
- o Darbouka City (2010)
- o Cycle of Return (2017)
- o MaldiRon (single 2025)
His music is a vibrant dialogue between worlds, where the pulse of the East meets the harmony of the West.
Beyond his solo work, he has contributed his unmistakable rhythmic signature as a featured guest artist to more than 55 international albums / Singles.
In London during the late 1990s, Barrak founded his own fusion ensemble, bringing together exceptional musicians from diverse backgrounds. Through original compositions, he crafted a soundscape that seamlessly weaves Arabic roots with Latin grooves, jazz expression, and Brazilian color, creating a language that is both deeply traditional and strikingly modern.
His performances have resonated on some of the world’s most prestigious stages, From opening for legendary artists at iconic venues to captivating audiences across continents, Barrak’s presence is both electrifying and refined. His appearances include the Royal Albert Hall in London, the Purcell Room at Southbank Centre, Live Style Festival in Dubai, landmark performances at Casino du Liban, and the renowned Sydney Opera House.
Further, Rony served as the Musical Director and Composer for a Saturday night television show (Iktachafna el Baroud) on LBCI TV-Lebanon in 2006.
Since 2009, Rony Barrak has composed, orchestrated, and premiered three major symphonic works: Beirut Sensations, Phoenicia, and Boulder Sensations. These compositions have been performed internationally across the United States, Germany, Armenia, China, and Russia.
“Beirut Sensations” his first symphonic composition, premiered in 2009.
“Boulder Sensations” followed in 2012.
Both works were performed by the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Michael Butterman at Macky Auditorium, Boulder, Colorado (USA).
Beirut Sensations has since been presented in several international performances, including:
Russia (2026)
The Bolshoi Theatre Symphony Orchestra conducted by Pavel Sorokin at Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow.
Russia (2025)
Moscow Symphony Orchestra conducted by Nikolai Tsinman, at the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall, Moscow.
USA Tour (2022)
Yakima Symphony Orchestra at the Capitol Theatre, Washington
York Symphony Orchestra at the Appell Center, Pennsylvania
Denver Philharmonic Orchestra at the Antonia Brico Stage, Denver, Colorado
All performances were conducted by Lawrence Golan.
Armenia (2014) Academic Theatre Symphonic Orchestra of Yerevan, conducted by Karen Durgaryan, at the Yerevan Opera House.
“Phoenicia” has also received international recognition, with performances including:
Germany (2011)
Bremer Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Markus Poschner, at Die Glocke, Bremen.
Armenia (2014)
Academic Theatre Symphonic Orchestra of Yerevan, conducted by Karen Durgaryan, at the Yerevan Opera House.
Russia- Saint Petersburg (2021)
SoundUp Orchestra at the state Academic Chapel.
China (2025)
Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Dane Lam, at the Belt & Road International Music Festival, Shenzhen.
Ended up with a great success including a featured report on the main News on LBCI TV, Lebanon.
Own orchestral symphonic compositions performed by:
- o Bolshoi Theater Symphony Orchestra
- o Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra
- o Bremer Philharmonic Orchestra
- o Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra
- o Moscow Symphony Orchestra
- o Yakima Symphony Orchestra
- o York Symphony Orchestra
- o Denver Philharmonic Orchestra
- o Academic Theatre Symphonic Orchestra of Yerevan
- o Georgian National Philharmonic Strings
In addition to his symphonic works, Rony Barrak has composed chamber orchestral pieces premiered at the Al Bustan Festival in Lebanon (2016), including BusTango, Thank You to My Dad, and WorkShock, performed with the Georgian National Philharmonic Strings.
In the same year, he was commissioned by Ensemble Mini in Berlin to orchestrate and perform Romanian Folk Dances by Béla Bartók as part of the project Bartók Beyond Borders. The work premiered in Berlin (2016), followed by a tour across Germany and Budapest in 2022.
In November 2018, Barrak was invited by the Consulate General of Lebanon in Rio de Janeiro to perform at the Lebanese Independence Day celebrations at Monte Líbano, presenting his orchestral arrangements of renowned Lebanese classics alongside a Brazilian classical ensemble.
Since 2005, Barrak has toured internationally, achieving a unique distinction as one of the first Darbouka soloists to perform & record within major Symphonic Video Game Music productions.
He has appeared in leading projects such as Symphonic Fantasies and Final Fantasy concerts, collaborating with world-class orchestras, including:
- o o London Symphony Orchestra
- o Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra
- o Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra
- o WDR Radio Orchestra of Cologne
- o Lyon National Symphony Orchestra
- o FILMharmonic Orchestra Prague
- o Norwegian Radio Orchestra
- o Chicago land Pops Orchestra
- o Oulu Symphony Orchestra
- o Czech Philharmonic chamber Orchestra
- o Toronto Orchestra and Choir
Produced by Thomas Böcker (Merregnon Studios) receiving sponsorship from companies such as Electronic Arts, Music from Square Enix, for multiple game concerts.
Subsequently, Rony was featured prominently in Seven video games music albums.
Also Barrak has performed and recorded in various projects with top orchestras such as,
- o London Philharmonic Orchestra
- o Camerata Salzburg Orchestra
- o Kiev Philharmonic Orchestra
- o Ensemble Mini
- o Osnabruck Symphony Orchestra
- o Morgenland Chamber Orchestra
- o NDR Bigband
- o UK I.A.P.S. National Symphony Orchestra
Throughout his career, Barrak has been invited to perform and record as a special guest soloist with over 40 internationally renowned artists, including
- o Sarah Brightman (Harem World Tour, 110 concerts)
- o Fairuz
- o Ziad Al Rahbani
- o Al Di Meola
- o Arturo Sandoval
- o Dave & Don Grusin
- o Hamilton de Holanda
- o Ara Gevorgian
- o Raul de Blasio
- o Igudesman & Joo
- o Vanessa-Mae
- o Bond
- o Talvin Singh
- o Simon Shaheen
- o Jaz Coleman
- o Oscar Castro-Neves
- o Alex Acuna
- o Abboud Abdel Aal
- o Richard Galliano
- o Abraham Laboriel
- o Martin Grubinger
- o Nelson Rangel
- o Perhat Khaliq
- o Pedro Luis
- o Monobloco Samba Group
- o Tunai Blitz
- o Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi
- o Aynur
- o Mike Herting
- o Antonio Forcione
- o Eduardo Niebla
- o Costas Makedonas
- o Otis Grand
- o Iris Hond
- o Patrick Leonard
- o Pete Lockett
- o Bandadriatica-Italy
- o Juan Martin
o Michel FadelThese performances and records have taken place in some of the world’s most prestigious concert halls and recording studios, including:
- o Bolshoi Theatre (Moscow)
- o Barbican Centre (London)
- o Philharmonie de Paris (France)
- o Theatre National de Chaillot (France)
- o Gewandhaus (Leipzig Germany)
- o Kölner Philharmonie (Koln, Germany)
- o Westdeutscher Rundfunk (Koln, Germany)
- o Pierre Boulez Saal (Berlin)
- o Tokyo Bunka Kaikan Hall (Japan)
- o Tonhalle (Düsseldorf)
- o Rosemont Theatre (Chicago)
- o Macky Auditorium (Colorado, USA)
- o Circo Voador ( Brazil)
- o Vienna & Salzburg concert hall (Austria)
- o Kremlin Palace concert hall (Moscow)
- o State Academic Capella of St. Petersburg
- o Olympia & Angel Studios (London, UK)
- o Kilden Performing Art center,Kristiansand (Norway)
- o Pallas Theatre (Greece)
- o Rudolfinum Concert Hall – Prague
- o Emirates Pavilion – Expo 2020 Dubai
- o Budapest Music Centre (Hungary)
- o Golden Hall (Rostov)
- o Stockholm Concert Hall (Sweden)
- o Shenzhen concert Hall (China)
- o Hainan Provincial Intangible Cultural Heritage Center (China)
- o 110 Arenas with Sarah Brightman “Harem World Tour” Mexico -USA -Canada -Asia -Europe – Australia – Info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harem_World_Tour
In 2014, he was invited to join world-renowned percussionist Martin Grubinger and Camerata Salzburg Orchestra for a five-concert tour across Vienna, Salzburg, and Germany.
Barrak has also maintained a strong artistic presence in Brazil, performing and recording in Rio de Janeiro with leading Ensembles and artists such as MonoBloco, Pedro Luís, Raimundo Fagner, Hamilton de Holanda, Tunai, and Evandro Mesquita (Blitz), appearing at iconic venues including Circo Voador, Beco das Garrafas, Fundição Progresso and Blue Note.
Since 2005, Barrak has been a regular guest performer at the Morgenland Festival in Germany and a member of the Morgenland All Star Band, touring internationally across Germany, China, Turkey, Kazakhstan, and Lebanon.
He also founded the ensemble “Trio N Five” in Denver, USA, alongside pianist Vlad Girshevich and saxophonist Alex Nekrasov.
As a versatile composer and arranger, Barrak has contributed to numerous international projects spanning documentaries, advertising, songs, poetry, and 3D mapping across the USA, Saudi Arabia, and Lebanon. His latest work includes the original score for the American feature film RENNER, directed by Robert Rippberger, released in U.S. theaters in February 2025, and currently working on a new music score for an upcoming U.S. film by the same director.
In 2021, Barrak was invited to be interviewed on Enigma, a prestigious cultural television program presented by Irina Nikitina and broadcast on the Russian federal channel Rossiya Kultura.
This recognition was followed by an invitation in November 2025, to serve as a jury member for the 26th International Television Music Competition for Young Musicians (The Nutcracker) held at the Gnesins Moscow Secondary Special Music School, with the finals taking place at the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall in Moscow, where Barrak has also performed his last movement of “Beirut Sensations” for the Opening gala concert, with the Moscow Symphony Orchestra.
Also in June 2026, Barrak was invited once again to serve as a jury member alongside eight distinguished jurors, among the most esteemed musicians/ conductors /Opera Singers, for the 2nd International Youth Television Contest For Musicians “ST. PETERSBURG OLYMPUS” at the State Academic Chapel of St. Petersburg, Russia.
From 2003 to 2019, Rony Barrak was a distinguished invited artist and speaker at the Conference on World Affairs (CWA) one of the most prestigious interdisciplinary forums in the United States. Held annually at the University of Colorado Boulder, the conference brings together over 100 global leaders, artists, and thinkers to engage in more than 200 panels, performances, and discussions during a week-long exchange of ideas. Over a period of 15 years, Barrak was consistently selected among a small group of leading invited artists, contributing to over 70 panel discussions, as well as conducting Master classes for jazz students at the university, open to both students and the public.
A central highlight of his participation was his annual featured performance at the CWA Jazz Concert at Macky Auditorium (2,000-seat capacity), where he premiered new original fusion compositions each year. These performances brought him together with some of the most distinguished musicians in the United States, including Dave Grusin, Don Grusin, Oscar Castro-Neves, and Abraham Laboriel, among others. Throughout his long-standing involvement with the conference, Barrak developed a strong artistic presence and built a loyal following within the Boulder community.
An active educator, he has led Master-classes and Workshops at music colleges, academies, universities, and schools across Germany, Italy, Russia, Lebanon, Finland, Norway, the United States, and China.
For the past six years, Rony has been one of the main instructors member at Morgenland Academy (one-week music summer camp) at Fattoria Musica Studios in Osnabruck, Germany.
Among numerous recognitions, Barrak was awarded:
“BraVo Award” at Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow (Russia) April 2026.
“CAEL” TV/Film award – Contribution Award to Excellence and leadership. Lebanon, 2025.
“Honorary Citizenship” of the City of Dearborn, Michigan (USA) in 2005.
“Academic of Honor” by the Lebanese-Brazilian Academy of Literature, Arts and Sciences, sharing this distinction alongside prominent figures such as Gabriel Yared and Paulo Coelho. Rio De Janeiro (Brazil) 2023.
Rony Barrak continues to make regular appearances on television and radio across Lebanon and the Middle East, maintaining a strong connection with audiences worldwide. Rooted in his Lebanese heritage and shaped by an international career, he has redefined the role of the Darbouka—liberating it from its traditional confines and elevating it into a powerful, expressive instrument on the global stage. Through his innovative approach to percussion and composition, Barrak transforms rhythm and melody into a distinctive artistic language that transcends cultural boundaries.
Barrak has a wide package of press reviews and media articles from Lebanese and Western news papers and magazines, just to mention a few:
Thank you Rony Barrak, what A fantastic evening it was! London Symphony Orchestra -Twitter @londonsymphony on 7.10.2016
“Rony Barrak is an excellent musician” by the Legend Arturo Sandoval at LBCI TV -Beirut Jazz Festival, “In Touch” Lebanon 2012 .
“A Sublime Virtuoso” by Roger Ebert, screenwriter/film critic for Chicago Sun-Times, USA- 2010
“Boulder Philharmonic goes exotic with Tabla virtuoso Rony Barrak… A riveting performance… Lebanese musician Rony Barrak is an absolute master of the instrument” Daily Camera, Boulder-USA -2009
“Rony Barrak proceeds to amaze the crowd with technique and speed that many of us would have difficulty matching with sticks. He also has the ability to play musically in a style reminiscent of Airto Moreira’s tambourine solos.” Rhythm magazine, UK – 1989