Tala is the founder and Executive Director of the Centre for Musical Arts (CMA). Born and educated in Dubai, Tala studied music at Royal Holloway, University of London. What makes her all the more special is that she was the first female Emirati music graduate. Armed with a second degree in Management and Languages in 1995, Tala worked for ten years in the financial sector (Barclay’s Bank) and consumer sector (Mars) gaining experience in finance, human resources and management. While still in the corporate sector, Tala continued to teach flute and piano regularly and was heavily involved in the

performing arts community in Dubai, including being instrumental in the development of the Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre. 

In 2006, Tala established Centre for Musical Arts, listed as one of the top 100 SMEs in the city by Dubai SME, and continues to work towards developing a purpose built facility for CMA to finally realise her dream of having a fully functional music school in Dubai.

Both Tala and CMA have been recognised and honoured with many awards over the years, including Best Emirati Entrepreneur Award and Best Female Entrepreneur Award at the SME Advisor ME – Stars of Business Awards and Friends of the Arts Award at the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Patrons of the Arts Awards.

As well as running Centre for Musical Arts, Tala is also on the Board of Directors for the Alliance Francais, The Advisory Board for the UAE National Ensemble under the UAE President’s Office, The Advisory Board (Music) for National Grants Program for the Ministry Of Culture and Youth and a Founding Member of the Emirati Musician’s Association.

Tala still continues to teach despite her busy schedule and is a Flute, Saxophone and Piano Specialist at the Centre.