Toronto-based modal music presenter Labyrinth Ontario announces the inaugural Toronto
Makam Music Forum, taking place from September 15-19, 2026 at East End United Church
(310 Danforth Ave) and East End Arts (450 Broadview Ave).
This is a major event celebrating the growing importance of Makam, the microtonal musical
system of West and Central Asia and the Mediterranean, in Toronto. The Forum investigates
theories, politics and aesthetics of Makam, creating a space for all those who seek to question
common ethnographical frameworks surrounding musical categories, and explore Makam as a
living, evolving practice
Since presenting the Western and World Symposium in 2024 which investigated the forms and
limits of Western hegemony in music presentation and education, Labyrinth has furthered its
mission as Southern Ontario’s hub for Makam Music. Increasingly our performance and learning
activities are a means to pursuing deeper, transformative outcomes of social cohesion and
lasting cultural exchange in the city of Toronto and beyond. The Forum offers inspiring
performances, spirited conversations, and collective activities to engage with the contemporary
world of Makam.
Notable participants include:
● Sami Abu Shumays, co-author of Inside Arabic Music, Founder and Director of Zikrayat
Ensemble (USA)
● Folios of Turkish Makam with Turkish television and radio stars Yahya Geylan and Canan
Sezgin Geylan, TAF Nominated Breakthrough Jazz Artist Julian Anderson-Bowes,
boundary-pushing Roa (HyunYoung) Lee, and emerging artist Saghi Farsijiani
● Folios of Iranian Dastgāh with accomplished classical Iranian artists Sadaf Amini, Ava
Rostamian, Soheil Sadeghi, Sasan Salaseli, and Araz Salek
● Naomi McCarroll-Butler, recently returning from tour with Beverly Glenn-Copeland and
Jeremy Dutcher
Shumays will lead two free workshops at East End Arts over the duration of the Forum: a
general introduction to Makam and a music group focusing on legendary Egyptian vocalist Umm

Kulthum, with participants having the opportunity to perform. Registration is available until
Monday, September 7.
On September 17 and 18 the Forum will host free conversation circles at East End United. Led
by Jonathan Adjemian, PhD from the Programme in Social and Political Thought at York
University. These circles will create a space for all those who seek to question common
ethnographical frameworks surrounding musical categories. Adjemian will be supported by
Labyrinth Ensemble musician Yang Chen.
Following the conversation circles, evening performances will feature Mehdi Rostami and the
Folios of Turkish Makam on September 17 and Naomi McCarroll-Butler with Sam Shalabi and
the Folios of Iranian Dastgāh on September 18.
Labyrinth Ontario is pleased to present Sami Abu Shumays’ Music Group on September 19.
They will perform two Umm Kulthum pieces in their entirety, ranging from 40-90 minutes,
featuring the workshop participants for this community-focused finale of the week-long Forum.
The full Forum schedule and individual event tickets are available at https://bit.ly/TMMF26 .
“In a world obsessed with borders, the Toronto Makam Music Forum embraces the idea that
borders are porous. For us, culture is not a territory to contain, but rather a practice, a
conversation, and a way to deepen perspectives. Bringing musicians, theorists, and community
members together to listen, play, and learn at the TMMF serves Labyrinth’s mandate to elevate
the musical understanding, musicianship, and literacy of all.” – Araz Salek, Artistic Director of
Labyrinth Ontario
Labyrinth Ontario is the Toronto-based chapter of a worldwide organization founded by Ross
Daly in Crete. Our mission is to create a Canadian hub for Mediterranean and west-Asian modal
music through educational, performance and archival streams. If you wish to learn more about
Labyrinth Ontario, please visit our website at: www.labyrinthontario.com
The Toronto Makam Music Forum is supported by Toronto Arts Council, Ontario Arts Council,
Canada Council for the Arts and Canada Arts Presentation Fund – Department of Canadian
Heritage.
Organization Contact for Media Inquiries and full bios:
Lian McMillan, Marketing and Community Engagement
Labyrinth Ontario
647-460-7967
lian@labyrinthontario.com