Alimah plays middle eastern violin with three ensembles: Shoruk, Avaaza, and House of Tarab.
Shoruk is an ensemble combining the talents of Michael Nageub, Ayham Tannous, Chandra Narraine and Alimah, blending the warmth, joy, passion and virtuosity of middle eastern music together to create a show that is both exciting and welcoming. Based in Seattle, Shoruk has performed in venues ranging from elementary schools to Benaroya Hall. All members of the band have been professional musicians in their own countries for years before beginning this new journey in music making together. With a focus on the classics of Egyptian musical literature, they strive to bring the soulful transcendence of this tradition to their audiences with each and every note.
Michael Nageub studied nay (egytian flute) and keyboard at the University of Helwan Arabic Music Institute, then performed on both at the Cairo Opera House for 4 years before moving to the United States.
Alimah (Tracy Helming) received a masters degree in violin performance from the Yale School of Music, and was a member of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra for 7 years. She has performed with a variety of well known artists ranging from Itschak Perlman to John Denver. She is also a Suzuki violin instructor, and teaches at festivals and institutes throughout the Northwest and Alaska. She began playing arabic music in 2009, studying with Simon Shaheen at the Arabic Music Retreat, and with Dr. Alfred Gamil and Saad Mohammed Hassan in Cairo.
Chandra Naraine is a percussionist who specializes in ethnic music and rhythms which include contemporary, African and Eastern percussion. He was born in Guyana, South America, and emigrated to the US in 1972. Chandra established his full-time musical career when he moved to Spain in 1992 and, during the ensuing 17 years of his residence there, he performed in many of the major music venues all over Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. He toured extensively with distinguished Spanish artists, as part of a continuing cultural exchange programs, as well as many multicultural groups playing music which consisted of the fusion of elements from Spain, Africa, India, Middle East, Persia, Caribbean, South & North America. Chandra is a specialist and educator on a wide range of percussion instruments and rhythms from many regions of the planet.
Ayham Tannous sang professionally in church choirs in Syria before moving to the states to study computer engineering. While studying in Washington DC, he continued to sing and play oud. After moving to Seattle he began singing and playing with Shoruk in 2011.
Chandra Narraine

Alimah currently performs with Shoruk, George Sadak and Friends, Avaaza, and House of Tarab.