By Silma Suba

Adam Abou-Gad has big aims for his life. While pursuing his career as a music director, one day Abou-Gad wants to own his own music company, produce his own music, and even give live concerts around the world.

“I’ve been interested in music since I was nine years old,” said Abou-Gad, “I spend most of my time making progressive metal music or playing the piano.”

Abou-Gad, 18, is a freshman at Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q) pursuing a degree in communications.

Born in Atlanta in November 1994, Abou-Gad moved with his family to Alexandria, Egypt, when he was seven-years-old. There Abou-Gad learned that for many Arabs, music was more than entertainment.

“During the Arab Spring, a lot of singers put their expressions in their music, which was really great,” said Abou-Gad. “To spread a message to people through music is, I think, very inspiring.”

Although Abou-Gad has been interested in playing music since he was a child, attending a live Linkin Park concert in 2008 was a key turning point in his life.

Abou-Gad was 13 years old when he attended that Linkin Park concert in Atlanta. In that moment, Abou-Gad realized that this is what he wanted to do. Music was his future.

“Before, I used to play around with music just for fun,” said Abou-Gad, “After I watched Linkin Park live I was determined that I wanted to produce music too, and perhaps one day have my own live concert.”

When he was sixteen, his parents made the move to Qatar, where he graduated from The American School of Doha (ASD).