Camellia Boutros with Clarissa Bitar
Clarissa Bitar is an accomplished Palestinian oud musician and composer hailing from Los Angeles, California. With a background in Music and a specialization in Ethnomusicology from UC Santa Barbara, Clarissa's musical journey has been enriched by training under esteemed Arab oudists such as Simon Shaheen, Charbel Rouhana, and Bassam Saba. Their performances have graced stages across the United States and internationally. Innovative in their approach, Clarissa seamlessly blends the traditional sound of the oud with various genres including R&B, Pop, Hip Hop, and Rap. Their latest album 'Hassan Sabi', showcases their versatility and creativity, available for streaming on all major platforms. Clarissa's music has garnered attention across diverse mediums including Netflix, radio, film, and international exhibits, reflecting the universal appeal and impact of their artistry. Noteworthy releases include the collaborative poetry-oud EP with Palestinian poet Mohammed El-Kurd, titled 'Bellydancing on Wounds', and their solo EP 'Bayati', both demonstrating Clarissa's commitment to exploring new dimensions in music and storytelling.
Clarissa has a passion for teaching and sharing knowledge on Arab music, as well as performing and hopes to continue to carve our spaces for oud share this tradition with others.
