Nebu J. Issabey Music School Program

Remembering Maestro Nebu J. Issabey 

1930-2014

The late Nebu J. Issabey was born in Tabriz, Iran in 1930. He began violin lessons at age four, taught by his mother. In the next few years, he taught himself to play the piano. He later went on to study under the tutelage of the famous Italian violinist Luigi Pazanari, French violinist Tina Montofel, and later Joachim Blume and Carl Kaufhold while attending the Music Academy of Cologne, Germany.

In 1955, he founded the first Assyrian choir in Tehran, called the Nineveh Choir, which was later considered the leading choir in Iran. In 1966, the Iranian Fine Arts Institute was named the top-ranking choir in the country. Maestro Issabey and the Nineveh Choir performed for the Shah of Iran, where he was recognized.

After leading a notable career abroad as a musician, composer, and instructor, Maestro Issabey moved to Chicago, Illinois in 1973 and brought with him his dream to create an Assyrian national choir. He revived the Nineveh Choir, which later became known as the Assyrian National Choir. Also among his many contributions to the Assyrian community, Maestro Issabey composed “Roomrama” which he hoped would be recognized by Assyrians worldwide as the national anthem, unifying the Assyrian nation.

Maestro Issabey’s goal to share Assyrian culture through the international language of music was evident throughout his career. The music program at the AUAF is named in his honor and shares his mission of identifying and supporting Assyrian talents.

At the Assyrian Cultural Foundation, we feel that education and engagement in the musical arts are a vital part of the development of each individual. Music is a part of the cultural heritage of every human being, serving as a common thread for people around the world.

The Nebu J. Issabey Music Program is an intensive program intended to train students in their instrument of study. Our program offers private lessons in piano, violin, cello, flute, and group lessons in guitar.

Our goal is to identify Assyrian Americans with exceptional talents at an early age, encouraging them to develop their talents in order to become effective cultural leaders. We strive to empower Assyrian students and provide them with the tools they need to excel in pursuing artistic studies and careers. Our mission is to produce excellent Assyrian-American musicians in a four-year study program.

Staff

Tiglat P. Issabey, Music Director

Grzegorz Robak, Humanities Program Coordinator

Rasson Bet Yonan, Lead Instructor and Piano Instructor

Kevie Yu, Violin Instructor

Stephanie Sorisho, Cello Instructor

Edmond Ebrahimi, Guitar Instructor

Julian Graef, Piano, Violin, and Viola Instructor

Emily Graef, Piano and Flute Instructor

Apply

• 2023 Music Registration Form
• 2023 Music Policy Statement

Email: grzegorz.robak@acf-us.org

2024 - 2025 Semester Schedule

Winter Semester: January 2nd - March 29th

Spring Break: March 30th - April 7th

Spring Semester: April 8th - June 28th

Summer Break: June 29th - July 28th

Summer Semester: July 29th - October 27th

Labor Day: Monday, September 2nd

Fall Break: October 28th - November 3rd

Fall Semester: November 4th - December 22nd

Thanksgiving Break: November 28th - 30th

Winter Break: December 23rd – January 6th

Class Schedule and Availability