WHEN A RAISED HAND CHANGED A LIFE

When most children were still adjusting their backpacks and finding their seats, a quiet moment changed the course of Al Waleed al Balushi’s life. The first class of the day was music. The teacher asked a simple question: 'Who would like to learn the piano?'
One hand went up, his alone. Drawn by curiosity towards the black and white keys, Al Waleed did not yet know that this small act of volunteering would become the foundation of a lifelong devotion to music.
That early fascination soon turned into commitment.
Recognising his eagerness, the teacher took him on as a private student and introduced him to the fundamentals of piano playing. What began as curiosity grew into discipline and passion. When Al Waleed reached high school, his path was already taking shape.

Faced with the choice between the scientific and literary tracks, he chose the latter, as a deliberate step towards studying music academically. Today, he is a third-year student of Music and Musicology at Sultan Qaboos University, within the College of Arts and Social Sciences, continuing a journey that began with a single raised hand.
The piano, for Al Waleed, is not merely an instrument, it is a universe.
Its unique ability to carry melody and rhythm simultaneously is what deepened his attachment over time. He describes the piano as a language capable of translating emotions too complex for words, a space where structure and freedom coexist. This balance mirrors his own artistic philosophy and approach to music making.
Balancing academic study with rigorous practice is part of his daily rhythm. Mornings are dedicated to lectures and theoretical foundations, while practice fills the spaces in between, short breaks, quiet afternoons and moments carved out between university commitments.
For Al Waleed, studying music and practicing it are inseparable acts, one feeds the other, creating a continuous cycle of learning and refinement.

Musically, his inspirations have evolved over time. In his early years, he was deeply influenced by the works of Fairuz and Omar Khairat, whose melodies shaped his emotional understanding of music.
As his studies deepened, his interests gravitated towards Western classical music, particularly the Romantic era. The expressive intensity of Frédéric Chopin and the emotional depth of Sergei Rachmaninoff now form the core of his musical admiration.
Beyond the practice room, Al Waleed’s presence has resonated across numerous cultural stages. From performances in Al Jabal Al Akhdhar with Outward Bound Oman to formal musical evenings held under royal patronage, from national festivals and university events to award winning competitions, each appearance marked a step forward.
These experiences, he reflects, were essential in overcoming stage anxiety. What once manifested as tension gradually transformed into focus, an ability to immerse himself fully in the music.

Inspiration, for Al Waleed, comes from life in its quietest forms, personal experiences, reflections on nature and memories that leave a lasting emotional imprint. Through composition and performance, he seeks to create musical worlds that feel honest and deeply human.
His style leans towards tonal and classical music, subtly infused with Arabic elements, reflecting both his heritage and a broader global musical language.
His ambitions are clear yet grounded. He hopes to complete his ABRSM certifications in theory and piano, join the Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra and one day perform Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No 3, a piece he considers a defining summit in a pianist’s life.
At home, his decision to pursue music was met with discussion, as many families naturally gravitate towards traditional professions. Yet the choice remained his, supported by a family that ultimately chose belief and encouragement.
For Al Waleed, music is not a destination but a journey, one built on discipline, theory and endless discovery.
The road is long, he believes, so enjoy the journey rather than fixating on the end. Between the black and white keys, he continues to shape a space where Omani identity, classical tradition and personal truth quietly converge.