Album Notes

Lena Shammas

Pop rock singer/songwriter

Lena began by writing poetry at a very young age, then added classical piano and guitar to her music repertoire. Her unique self-style is attributed to her background. As a Christian Kuwaiti and an ambassador's daughter she was exposed to music in the many places she lived as a child - from cities such as Kuwait, London, Geneva, Moscow and New York to countries including Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, France and Kenya she absorbed the various influences apparent in her music. For example, her choice to include a percussion instrument such as the "oud", an ancient Arabic instrument not typically found in American music. Educated in New York City, Geneva, Paris, London, Moscow, Nairobi, Kuwait, and with two BA degrees from Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, Lena's music career was temporarily on hold due to some personal responsibilities. As a young mother with Arab heritage living in Kuwait, she moved her residence to the U.S. in the beginning of the Iraq-Kuwait Gulf war to protect her children. Boarding one of the first American planes out of her home country, her music has been the continuing thread in her life. Throughout the years Lena has won 1st place in several university talent shows, and was approached by MCA records during her time as a student at Pepperdine University, Malibu. In addition, Lena received a "Song of the Year" award in a songwriters competition in Anchorage, Alaska winning bothfirst second place for her song writings. She has participated in church choirs and solo performances in front of audiences ranging from 200 to10,000 spectators. Lena was also invited to Washington DC to perform for diplomatic audiences and families of war veterans and as a result specifically compose music for the Gulf War and after. As an instrument for world peace, Lena brings strength and perseverance through her creativity. Her guitar styling is as unique as her background, providing a fresh overtone to her individual style of pop rock, reflecting sentimental and romantic lyrics in all her songs. Now, as a single mother with teenage daughters, Working with the world renowned producer, Andre Cymone, she is
fulfilling her lifelong dream and goal of releasing some of her songs in her first CD entitled "Open Your Eyes" and proving that with perseverance all dreams can be fulfilled.