Wael El Mahallawy

Wael El Mahallawy is a Professor and Chair of Arts at the American University in Cairo (AUC), where he also directs the music program and the newly established Institute of Music Technology within the Department of the Arts. His interdisciplinary work bridges sound engineering, Qanoun performance, and Arab music theory.

El Mahallawy's research focuses on utilizing music technology to preserve and enhance Arab music theory and performance, addressing the lack of documentation in Arab music heritage. His professional activities include recording albums, soundtracks for films, and live recordings since 1996, alongside international Qanoun performances in folk festivals, opera productions, and recitals.

As the first licensed Pro Tools HD 9 Operator in Egypt, he combines technical expertise with artistic practice. His recent projects document traditional Arab music forms like lungas, muwashahat, and samai—highlighting instruments such as oud, Qanoun, and mizmar—to create scholarly references for ethnomusicology and Arab music studies.