With very few districts hiring teachers, let alone string orchestra teachers, nowadays, Nady Benyamine is very thankful that he was recently hired to teach in the Oxford School District this fall.
‘I was fortunate enough to receive the job opening knowing that Oxford has a strong support for the arts and music, and they already have an excellent band and choir program,? he said. ‘I’m so glad to be a part of this new beginning.?
After years and years of only band classes, students will now have the opportunity to partake in orchestra classes and play instruments like the violin, cello, viola and bass.
With Benyamine at the helm, the orchestra program is sure to receive many accolades.
‘He is a new graduate, however, his musicianship is outstanding,? said Nancy Kammer, Deputy Superintendent for Oxford Schools. ‘His contact with the kids was phenomenal and you could see he is a natural teacher.?
Born near the pyramids in Giza, Egypt, Benyamine grew up in a musical family.
Both of his parents compose music and are vocalists in the Egyptian Christian community, while his sister, Jacqueline, is a professional pianist.
The 24-year-old studied piano from the age of five and picked up the violin at 11, playing at the Cairo Opera House.
His family moved to the U.S. in 1996, where he continued to study the violin privately. That’s when he decided to pursue teaching music as a career.
Benyamine finished his double major in violin performance and instrumental education at Wayne State University in 2007, and has been student teaching at West Bloomfield High School.
The Troy resident has added many more instruments to his repertoire, including the guitar, viola, mandolin and other ethnic instruments.
‘I am all about expanding beyond learning notes and rhythms to learning about the multicultural musical world, including many styles of music,? he said. ‘Not just classical, but rock, jazz, Spanish and middle eastern.?
He’s also the musical director at the Madison Heights Alliance Church, performs in a flamenco band called Domingo and is a member of the Il Segreto String Quartet.
Because Oxford has never had an orchestra program before, Benyamine said he’s up for the challenge.
‘My goal is to build a qualified and growing string orchestral program in the Oxford schools where every student that joins can experience learning, performing and loving music at its best,? he said.