Omar’s fascination with classical piano began in Egypt
Classical Music student Omar Shendy has had one dream since he was fifteen: to become a classical pianist. He took his first piano lesson in his home country Egypt, and this summer he graduates from ArtEZ Academy of Music in Zwolle. ‘I don’t want these four years at the Academy of Music to be over.’
Classical music: a whole new world
When Omar was fifteen and still living in Egypt, he first discovered the piano and classical music through YouTube. ‘It was a world I knew nothing about. It started with Richard Clayderman’s arrangements, where the piano is the real star. I became fascinated by it and felt: this is it. This is the instrument I want to learn to play.’
After his first piano lesson, YouTube led him even further. Omar discovered the classical pieces behind Clayderman’s pop interpretations. He listened to Liebesträume by Franz Liszt. When he recalls that moment now, he gestures as if his mind is exploding. ‘I realised there was another world out there - incredibly beautiful, challenging and profound - all through the piano alone.’
One piece led him to the next, and that is how Omar began exploring different composers. ‘I told my very first piano teacher that I wanted to learn classical music. She started sending me more music to listen to. The world I had only just discovered turned out to be far bigger than I had imagined.’
‘I’ve always been a dreamer, and that has helped me. If I could say one thing to my younger self, it would be: don’t give up.’
Becoming a classical pianist
‘During one of those late nights spent searching for new music, I realised what I wanted to become. I was sixteen when I watched a video of a recital by Yundi Li. It felt magical. At that point, I didn’t yet know I had started piano lessons late, while many classical pianists begin when they are seven or eight years old.’
From that night on, Omar took his dream of becoming a classical pianist seriously. ‘I remember days when I practised for ten to twelve hours. Now, on a good day, it’s six hours. Later, at the Academy of Music in Zwolle, I learned how to study more effectively.’
Because of his late start, Omar’s piano teacher in Egypt was not immediately convinced he would get into a conservatoire. ‘I didn’t listen to her too much. I only had one dream.’
‘At ArtEZ Academy of Music in Zwolle, I also learned about mindfulness, philosophy, body awareness and how to study more effectively.’
Duo Sirico, photo: Sjaak Leene
From the conservatoire in Cairo to Zwolle
Three years later. After completing a preparatory music programme in Egypt and spending countless hours at the piano, Omar is admitted to the conservatoire in Cairo. He studies there for three years before having to flee to the Netherlands. At ArtEZ Academy of Music in Zwolle, he starts the Classical Music programme.
‘Frank van de Laar, main subject teacher Piano, taught me an incredible amount. Some of the habits I had developed in Egypt, I had to unlearn again during my first year in Zwolle. Frank taught me everything I now apply during my finals.’
That Omar still has a clear goal in mind is something the committee assessing him this March noticed as well. In the final year, it is time for the completion of technical and musical skills.
‘According to the committee, I made full use of everything the Academy of Music had to offer. From piano lessons to theory classes, I absorbed it all. When they said that, my main thought was: I don’t want these four years at the Academy of Music to be over.’
Final: solo and Duo Sirico
During Omar’s final on 19 June 2026 at Odeon in Zwolle, he will perform a piano solo in the first half of the programme. In the second half of the concert, he will perform together with a friend from Egypt, Omar Abu El-Hana. He plays the oud, a string instrument from the Middle East.
Follow Omar Shendy
- Finals video
- Instagram of Duo Sirico
- Instagram of duo-partner Omar Abu El-Hana
