I am Esmail Alkhalaf, known in the art world as Esmail Bnaoe. My musical journey began at an early age when I found solace in singing as a way to overcome stuttering. I am a versatile artist specializing in Ottoman classical music and Anatolian folk music as well as electronic music. My artistic endeavors reflect a harmonious blend of traditional and contemporary influences. Currently, I am in my fourth year at the Rotterdam Codarts Conservatory, where I continue my academic studies and produce creative works. My journey in theater and music changed in 2012 when I moved to Damascus and discovered a gateway to the world of music. Due to unfortunate circumstances, I lived a refugee journey through Turkey and Greece before successfully reaching the Netherlands in 2016. From 2016 to 2019, I participated in theater groups such as De Gasten Theater and storytelling house Mezrab. At the same time, I completed the Mixology course and earned my mixologist diploma. In 2020, I switched to music studies at Codarts Academy, focusing on classical Ottoman and Anatolian folk music and composition. I also rapidly developed skills in music tools such as Ableton, focusing on producing and creating sound.

Esmail Alkhalaf

I am Esmail Alkhalaf, known in the art world as Esmail Bnaoe. My musical journey began at an early age when I found solace in singing as a way to overcome stuttering. I am a versatile artist specializing in Ottoman classical music and Anatolian folk music as well as electronic music. My artistic endeavors reflect a harmonious blend of traditional and contemporary influences. Currently, I am in my fourth year at the Rotterdam Codarts Conservatory, where I continue my academic studies and produce creative works. My journey in theater and music changed in 2012 when I moved to Damascus and discovered a gateway to the world of music. Due to unfortunate circumstances, I lived a refugee journey through Turkey and Greece before successfully reaching the Netherlands in 2016. From 2016 to 2019, I participated in theater groups such as De Gasten Theater and storytelling house Mezrab. At the same time, I completed the Mixology course and earned my mixologist diploma. In 2020, I switched to music studies at Codarts Academy, focusing on classical Ottoman and Anatolian folk music and composition. I also rapidly developed skills in music tools such as Ableton, focusing on producing and creating sound.

Available to hire

I am Esmail Alkhalaf, known in the art world as Esmail Bnaoe. My musical journey began at an early age when I found solace in singing as a way to overcome stuttering. I am a versatile artist specializing in Ottoman classical music and Anatolian folk music as well as electronic music. My artistic endeavors reflect a harmonious blend of traditional and contemporary influences. Currently, I am in my fourth year at the Rotterdam Codarts Conservatory, where I continue my academic studies and produce creative works.

My journey in theater and music changed in 2012 when I moved to Damascus and discovered a gateway to the world of music. Due to unfortunate circumstances, I lived a refugee journey through Turkey and Greece before successfully reaching the Netherlands in 2016. From 2016 to 2019, I participated in theater groups such as De Gasten Theater and storytelling house Mezrab. At the same time, I completed the Mixology course and earned my mixologist diploma. In 2020, I switched to music studies at Codarts Academy, focusing on classical Ottoman and Anatolian folk music and composition. I also rapidly developed skills in music tools such as Ableton, focusing on producing and creating sound.

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Language

English
Advanced
Arabic
Fluent
Dutch
Intermediate

Work Experience

Singer & Storyteller at Mezrab, Amsterdam
December 31, 2020 - August 9, 2025
Performed as a singer and storyteller, blending traditional and contemporary styles from June 2018 to December 2020.
Actor at De Gasten Theatre, Amsterdam
January 1, 2019 - August 9, 2025
Worked with theatre groups combining music and acting in performances from January 2017 to January 2019.
Workshop Leader at DIY Collective, University of Venice
July 31, 2024 - August 9, 2025
Taught Ableton Live to master’s students in visual arts, focusing on audiovisual composition from June 2024 to July 2024.
Local Music Explorer and Performer at Self-directed
February 28, 2017 - August 9, 2025
Learned and performed local music during a refugee journey from Turkey to the Netherlands between June 2016 and February 2017.
Singer & Storyteller at Mezrab, Amsterdam
December 31, 2020 - August 9, 2025
Performed as a singer and storyteller, blending traditional and contemporary styles between June 2018 and December 2020.
Actor at De Gasten Theatre, Amsterdam
January 1, 2019 - August 9, 2025
Worked with theatre groups, combining music and acting in performances from January 2017 to January 2019.
Workshop Leader at DIY Collective, University of Venice
July 31, 2024 - August 9, 2025
Taught Ableton Live to master’s students in visual arts, focusing on audiovisual composition between June and July 2024.
Local Music Explorer & Performer at Various Locations, Greece and surrounding regions
February 28, 2017 - August 9, 2025
Learned and performed local music during a refugee journey from Turkey to the Netherlands between June 2016 and February 2017.

Education

Bachelor of Music at Codarts, University of the Arts
January 1, 2020 - August 9, 2025
Theater Studies (first year) at Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts, Damascus, Syria
January 1, 2011 - January 1, 2012
Technical Engineering (one year) at University of Damascus Technical Engineering Institute, Syria
January 1, 2012 - January 1, 2013
Bachelor of Music at Codarts, University of the Arts
January 1, 2020 - August 9, 2025
Technical Engineering at University of Damascus Technical Engineering Institute
January 1, 2012 - January 1, 2013
Theater Studies at Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts, Damascus, Syria
January 1, 2011 - January 1, 2012

Qualifications

Mixologist Diploma
January 11, 2030 - August 9, 2025
Mixologist Diploma
January 11, 2030 - August 9, 2025

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Travel & Hospitality, Non-Profit Organization, Other, Professional Services