Bisan Toron

Born in Syria in 1974, Bisan was raised in New York and Paris. She received her undergraduate degree from New York University in classical voice performance under Professor Karen Lykes. With a desire to extend her vocabulary, she began experimenting with extended vocal techniques through live improvisational performances in NYC. Driven by a desire to listen to and witness the musical narrative of people both uniquely distinct and rooted in her own culture, Bisan traveled to southern Jordan where she recorded the traditional functional songs of Bedouin families.

Driven by a desire to listen to and witness the musical narrative of people both uniquely distinct and rooted in her own culture, Bisan traveled to southern Jordan where she recorded the traditional functional songs of Bedouin families. This led her to continue her travels to Palestine, where she focused her fieldwork on folkloric music. During that time, she performed with various musicians throughout Israel and Palestine.

In 2001, she obtained her Masters degree in Ethnomusicology from the School of Oriental & African Studies in London, focusing on the fusion music of various refugee and immigrant populations and the way in which they negotiate and recreate their identity.

More recently, Bisan completed two years of study in voice and improvisation in Paris with Linda Wise and Izidor Leitinger of 'Pantheatre' - an independent voice performance school emerging from the Roy Hart Theatre. She also recently graduated from Suluk Academy, a four-year integrated course of study in the universal Sufi teachings of Hazrat Inayat Khan in New York.

Bisan's voice work is an exploration of the ever-changing dialogue between voice and the multi-textural aspects of soul, particularly through the art of improvisation.

Bisan is currently teaching, recording and performing in both the United States and abroad.