Mr. Kakish holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English and American Literature, and a minor in Western Classical and Middle Eastern Music. He is a co-founder and the artistic director of the “Kan Zaman Community Ensemble”, an educational non-profit musical group. The ensemble presents performances, workshops, and lecture-demonstrations in traditional Arabic music, both classical and folk styles. Wael taught “Historical Overview, maqams, and rhythms of Arabic Music”, and “Music Practicum Ensemble Classes” at Pasadena City College, Barnsdall Arts Center, Cal Poly/Pomona, UC Santa Barbara, San Diego State University, Lark Camp, Oakwood School Academy of Creative Education. In addition, he directed Aswat Music Ensemble in San Francisco. Currently, he is the Head of the Education and Outreach Department at the Royal Opera House in Muscat.
Mr. Kakish is also a teacher and a performer of Oud (Arabic lute), Buzuq (long-neck lute) and riqq (fish-skin tambourine) and other Arabic music instruments, in addition to singing.