Nassim Al Saba was formed in 2010, as a response from music students at the American University of Sharjah who wished to share their Arabic heritage and build cultural bridges with non-Arab countries. In July of 2011, Nassim Al Saba traveled to a choral symposium in Bandung, Indonesia, where they performed and engaged in intercultural and interfaith sessions with choirs from all over Asia. In October 2012, they participated in the ASWATUNA (Our Voices) Arabic Choral Festival in Amman and Petra, Jordan. Nassim Al Saba has performed at many different venues inside the United Arab Emirates, including several universities and the United Nations in Abu Dhabi. Nassim Al Saba is the only Gulf-based Arabic choir performing Arabic choral (harmonic/polyphonic) music. American University of Sharjah’s Performing Arts Program is in the opening stages of creating a comprehensive music and theater program. Since 2008 Performing Arts has developed courses in choir, voice, piano, musicology, and music theory. A music minor was implemented in Fall 2011. There are few high schools and one university in the UAE with choral programs. Despite this, the members of Nassim Al Saba believe that the impact of the choral art has long-lasting rewards to rediscover local music and discover music of other cultures.

John Perkins teaches music and interdisciplinary courses at American University of Sharjah and conducts several choirs. His research focuses on Lili Boulanger, French symbolism, conducting technique, and Arabic choral music. Perkins’s new arrangement of Boulanger’s Psaume 130, Dufond de l’abîme and Arabic choral arrangements have been internationally premiered. He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Arizona, Tucson.