Applicant: I am the artist.

Full name: Gaby Al-Botros.

Position: Guitarist.
Email address: gabrialblackmore@yahoo.com

Title: Mr.
First (given) name: GABY
Last (family) name: ALBOTROS
Full name as it appears on your passport: GABY ALBOTROS
Gender: male
Date of birth: 04/07/1993
Email Address: gabrialblackmore@yahoo.com
Nationality: Syrian
Country or Countries of Citizenship: Syria
Do you hold a valid passport: Yes
If you hold a valid passport, when does it expire: 10/02/2018
What is your present location? Please provide the city and country: Damascus, Syria
What is your native language: Arabic
What other languages do you speak? Please list each language and indicate your skill level (basic,
intermediate, advanced, fluent): English (Intermediate)

I think this one is going to be empty

What is your artistic discipline/ practice: Classical Guitar
Please provide a list of recent exhibitions, performances, productions, publications, etc:
With Orontes Guitar Quartet:
- A concert in the Latin Church in Damascus
- Participated in a concert at Damascus Opera House for the Guitar Class of the Higher Institute of Music
- A festival called Global Week for Syria at the French Institute in Beirut, Lebanon
- Teaching assistants with guitarist Susan McDonald, Yes Academy Lebanon
- Released a CD album called (The Clock)
- Participated with the Syrian National Symphony Orchestra (Concierto Andaluz for Joaquin Rodrigo)
Please provide links to your art work / website online:
http://ogqds.weebly.com
https://www.facebook.com/ogqds
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A19eOOy2zqQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9Ugee9oW9w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7iVhfBcIkw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kqssv9vLNqQ
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtYeWy-VnhsVHcSZvrwRNZA/videos

Please provide a summary of your Artist Statement (maximum 500 words):

As a musician, I work hard to develop pieces that speak both to me and to others about the beauty that
exists in the music. Part of my process before I begin playing is to read is to read as much as I can about
the specific set of music I am about to recreate on the strings. I do not merely want to capture the piece
as it is, I want to give that piece life once more.
I try with every finished piece to breathe life into a long forgotten style of music so that its notes, ideas,
and innovation. The challenge, as with any recreated piece from the past, is to not caricature the
moment and instead capture it in all its former glory. My playing speaks, not only for me, but for people
who were long ago silenced.
I’m working with my friends on a project called Orontes Guitar Quartet which is a guitar ensemble from
Syria celebrates beauty through music. With this project we are trying to prove that we can do beautiful
things even in the time of the war.

Please provide a brief Personal Statement explaining why you are applying to the
APF for support. Include a clear account of the threats or risks that you have
been facing (maximum 500 words):
I'm Gabriel Al-Botros from Damascus. I'm 23 years old and I think without music there's no life.
When I was a child I had a dream to become a famous Guitarist and I did many things to achieve it.
I started learning the guitar when I was 13 years in the private Institute then I taught myself with
internet and some videos.
When I was 18 years old I started studying at the School of Economics and specialized in Banking and
Insurance.
When I was 19 years old I entered the Higher Institute of music and studied Classic guitar. I learned
sound recording and video editing and Montage on Adobe Premiere and Magix Movie Editor. I perform
many solo concerts and concerts with singers and with my friends at the Higher Institute of Music. I
teach guitar in many private institutes and I teach Scouts at church.
Then came the war. Since the war all my views have changed and all my goals have become to make
peace because we can't do anything with war and destruction. You need comfort to be musician. The
war means no safety, no comfort.
It means distractions and traffic jams. All the prices raised up. You can't buy what you want to buy - just
some necessary things ... Don't think about new clothes! Don't think to buy a good guitar!
If I need to practice or study, I should have a Candle because there's no electricity. Life has become very
difficult. And there is always fear.
When you play music you will have a special feeling ... just like you are traveling to past, memories.
And the music means soul, respect, it makes a romantic human and a gentle human.
Also teaching music is wonderful thing, sitting with children, playing with them ... it is a fantastic feeling.
Listening to music is also beautiful thing. It makes you feel comfortable and relaxed. Music gives you
hope.
By making concerts I can send my message to everyone and I can make a smile on several faces.
When I traveled to Lebanon I had many experiences with fantastic teachers and I feel safe, happy.
I can practice and study without fear. I can sit with my friends and play with them more time.
And the most important thing was we started the idea about making Orontes Guitar Quartet.
In my last concert with Orontes Guitar Quartet we were about to play Concerto Andaluz for Joaquin
Rodrigo with the Syrian National Symphony Orchestra, and a mortar shell fell down near the entrance of
Damascus Opera House 1 hour before the concert, and we found ourselves helping injured people, then
we did the concert, just like nothing happened, the war affected us very much, everything, even the
mortar shells are now like a daily routine.

Place of Employment: Private music institute

Your Position: Guitar Teacher
Dates of Employment: 01/2013

Degree #1: Certificate of Accomplishment from American Arts Festival and American Voices (Yes
Academy Lebanon) for successfully completing the academy program August 10 to 22, 2015
Degree #2: Certificate of Accomplishment from American Arts Festival and American Voices (Yes
Academy Lebanon) for successfully completing the academy program August 9 to 20, 2016
Award/ Honor: Half scholarship to study music and the classical guitar from Oklahoma City University
(01/05/2016). It didn't work because I don't have enough money to pay the rest of tuition.

How did you hear about the Artist Protection Fund: Guitarist Susan McDonald.