Mariella Shaker

Mariela Shaker is a Syrian violinist who -- after having her dreams shattered by war in Aleppo -- managed to flee her demolished city in 2013, by receiving a music scholarship to study in the US.

Trying to escape the perils of war, Mariela, without electricity or water and under constant bomb and mortar attacks, would hide away in internet cafes to apply to schools throughout the world. While in Aleppo, Mariela studied business administration and graduated from the University of Aleppo. She was also a violin teacher at the Arabic Institute of Music, and risked death every day, commuting between her home and the Institute.

After six months of applying to schools, Mariela was accepted with a full tuition scholarship to Monmouth College in Illinois and would eventually earn a second degree in liberal arts and music. She graduated and went on to receive another scholarship, and will complete her master’s degree at DePaul University, this June.

Feeling safe here in the US, Mariella lives in constant fear about her family and friends who are surviving with the basic necessities of life in Aleppo, wondering if they will be alive tomorrow and if she will be reunited with them one day.  Since arriving in the US, Mariella has been working hard to achieve success in the music world and to advocate for her Syrian colleagues and friends who are still struggling badly in the war. She has performed at the Kennedy Center, Brooking Institute, Pentagon Conference, United Nations, Arab American Institute, Georgetown and George Washington Universities, Aspen Ideas Festival, Points of Light, International Rescue Committee, Harvard University and many other venues.  She was honored at the White House and named as Champion of Change for World Refugees by President Obama in 2015. Mariella is passionate about speaking and encouraging people to not give up on their dreams.

Mariela is the 2018 recipient of the Spirit of Anne Frank Center’s first-ever Promise Keeper Award, which recognizes a young person who is living the legacy of Anne Frank by dedicating her passion and creative talents to raising awareness of social injustice and fostering peace among all people.