Our Story
CANTOS Foundation for Arts & Development: is a Non-Profit Organization Founded and Registered under number 4452/2025 in Alexandria - Egypt.
The story begun in:
June 2020, when CANTOS Vocal Ensemble was created by Joseph Alfred, after involving in he Choral music since 2015.
In July 2022, it took me to a new overseas milestone to start thinking deeply and pushing the thoughts for building a big Organization to be a step for many projects I was lucky to be involved in.
For more than 2 years of preparing and analytics for the path of our Vision of CANTOS Foundation, CANTOS in Alive in 2024.
CANTOS For Arts is Alive in 2024. Since grown, it was built to be a dynamic foundation dedicated to nurturing artistic expression in all its forms. Rooted in a passion for creativity and collaboration, CANTOS For Arts offers training, workshops, seminars, and a wide range of artistic performances designed to inspire and empower artists at every stage of their journey.
Our mission is to build bridges through the arts—connecting with artists, associations, and organizations both locally and internationally.
By fostering inclusive, cross-disciplinary partnerships, we aim to cultivate a thriving global arts community where creativity knows no bounds.
Our Dream is unlimited .. Our vision is globally .. Our movements are active and intensive.
Commitments
There is no prejudice, or discrimination based on race, gender, religion, or color.
We commit to give the chances to everyone by transparency, credibility and trustee
The Foundation's bylaws, activities, and funding are committed to respecting the provisions and principles of the Egyptian Constitution, Egyptian laws, and international agreements ratified by Egypt, and to ensuring that they do not undermine national security, public order, or public morals.
Idea & purpose of establishment
Concept
We work to invite everyone, there is no discrimination based on gender, race, color or religion.
Holding various seminars, artistic performances and exhibitions to encourage artists and to educate society and enrich it with different arts and cultures.
Developing the awareness of new generations of orchestral and the choral musical art.
Working on collaborations and participations with local and international artists and organizations.
Forming various artistic groups.
We care about people with special needs and the disabled to educate and educate them scientifically and artistically.
Vision
A rich society in different and various types of Arab and non-Arab arts (musical - visual - performing).
Balancing the various types of modern and ancient arts.
Alexandria is the bride of the Mediterranean for arts.
Mission
Providing opportunities to educate and train youth, children and adults in various types of arts through art education lessons and workshops.
Enriching the community with diverse and different Arab and non-Arab art styles, especially musical arts.
To be a link between the local community and young experienced and amateur artists to find opportunities to present their works in a public setting.
Holding local and international art festivals to contribute to spreading various arts.
Finding various local and international cooperation opportunities to develop the cultural, musical and artistic side.
Since Alexandria is the bride of the Mediterranean, we are very interested in highlighting Egypt's role in the arts with the Euro-Mediterranean countries
Fields of Work
Cultural and Scientific Services
Literary Activity
Friendship among Peoples
Educational Services
Festivals and Concerts
Special Groups and the Disabled
Health Services
Social Services
Maternity and Child Care
Meet the Team
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Joseph Alfred
Founder & President
Joseph Alfred is a passionate violinist, choir conductor, and arts advocate based in Alexandria, Egypt, best known as the founder of CANTOS. Originally launched in June 2020 as the CANTOS Vocal Ensemble, the project has since evolved into the CANTOS Foundation for Arts & Development to build a sustainable, safe community for local artists.
Joseph Alfred has expanded CANTOS into a multifaceted artistic network in Egypt, moving from a single choir into registered foundational, educational, and commercial creative branches.
Professional Timeline & Executive Roles
Violinist (2013–Present): Formally active for over 13 years as a solo performer across Western Classical, International, Pop, and traditional Oriental musical styles. [1]
Violin Educator(2013–Present): Operates a private studio teaching solo violin performance, sheet music literacy, and playing by ear across Western and Oriental musical styles. [1]
Orchestral Musician: Serves as a professional violinist within the Orchestra of the Ministry of Youth and Sports in Egypt. [1]
Institutional Educator: Formerly taught instrumental music and choir in many schools like the GEMS International School Somabay (2025-2026), the New Sunrise International School Hurghada (2018–2019) and Collège de la Mère de Dieu - Alexandrie (2018). [1]
International Board Member (Feb 2025–Present): Elected to the board of Bjcem (Biennale des Jeunes Créateurs de l’Europe et de la Méditerranée) to design cross-border programs for young Euro-Mediterranean creators and to bridge Alexandria and Egyptian youth with Euro-Mediterranean art networks. [1]
Choir Trainer & Conductor (2020–Present): Launched the independent CANTOS Vocal Ensemble & Orchestra in June 2020 following advanced masterclasses in choral conducting. [1]
Foundation President (2024–Present): Officially establishedCANTOS for Arts (كانتوس للفنون) as a structural cultural foundation in August 2024. [1]
Entertainment Executive (2024–Present): Formed the Cantos Entertainment Agency in November 2024 to book, manage, and provide commercial platforms for local musicians. [1]
Community Patronage & Event Presence
Artistic Sponsorship: CANTOS frequently serves as the official artistic patron for regional civic events, such as orchestrating the live musical acts for the Egyptian Identity Celebration held at the Alexandria YMCA Theater. [1]
Collaborative Programming: The space hosts community lectures, visual art gallery displays, and historic preservation discussions targeting local youth. [1]
1. Corporate & Foundational Architecture
Joseph Alfred has structured CANTOS into distinct musical, foundational, and commercial branches to serve the Egyptian independent art community: [1]
CANTOS for Arts (كانتوس للفنون): Officially established on April 15, 2024, this is the registered structural non-profit cultural foundation managing community artistic initiatives. [1]
Cantos Entertainment Agency: Formed on November 10, 2024, this serves as the commercial arm, booking and managing local musicians for live entertainment and regional events. [1]
CANTOS Vocal Ensemble & Orchestra: The core performance group, actively operating as an independent A Cappella and instrumental ensemble since June 2020. [1, 2]
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Christina Ebersohl-Van Scyoc
Vice-President
Dr. Christina Ebersohl-Van Scyoc is an American concert violist, researcher, author, and disability advocate who transitioned to a prominent classical music career after serving as a U.S. Army Arabic linguist. Her life and career are marked by structural adaptation, cross-cultural storytelling, and advocacy for accessibility in the arts.
Musical and Academic Achievements
Education: Earned her Doctorate in Viola Performance and Literature (DMA) from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign as an Illinois Distinguished Fellow.
Carnegie Hall: Made her Carnegie Hall solo debut in July 2024.
Leadership: Serves as the Editor for the Journal of the American Viola Society and Executive Secretary of the International Viola Society.
Honors: Named a 2022 Pat Tillman Scholar for her continued cultural and community service.
Middle Eastern Research and Publications
Debut Album: Released Viola al-Mashura (The Enchanted Viola) on Acis Productions, spotlighting contemporary works by Egyptian composers and Arabic diaspora artists.
Literature: Authored Echoes of Cairo, a book exploring the histories, innovation, and musical legacies of mid-20th-century to modern Egyptian art musicians.
Cultural Diplomacy: Frequently tours and performs across Switzerland, the United States, and Egypt to bridge Western classical performance with Arabic musical heritage.
Disability Advocacy
Accessibility: Actively leads initiatives to make music education and professional classical stages fully accessible to disabled and blind musicians.
Pedagogy: Runs a private teaching studio focusing on tactile body awareness, safe physical control, and non-canonical repertoire.
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Ahmed Madkour
Secretary-General
Egyptian Music Composer
Professor of Music theory and composition at Cairo Conservatory, Academy of Arts. -
Mohamed Samir
Treasurer
Specialist in learning difficulties and special needs.
Community Education Project Manager at Matrouh Governorate.
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Ayman Ibrahim
Member
A businessman working for the sustainable green areas and reclamations.
Certificates
This certificate acknowledges the learner's dedication to development of entrepreneurial, transversal, digital and sustainable competences for Creative and Cultural Industries (CCIs) professionals in the
Euro-Mediterranean region., laying a foundation for future professional growth, within the program " CREAmed"
I was honored by the Alexandria Tourism Promotion Authority and Soura Arts Foundation at the "Alexandria... City and Life" ceremony, held on the occasion of Alexandria's National Day and the selection of Alexandria as the Capital of Culture and Dialogue for 2025.
Joseph Alfred - the president of CANTOS Foundation for Arts & Development
A certificate for attending and Passing The program "Effective Organization Building Program for Emerging and Small NGOs" Scholarship, which was held from Tuesday, April 8, 2025 to Wednesday, May 14, was passed and attended online.
the program was designed and presented by “Professional Development Foundation”
Joseph Alfred - the president of CANTOS Foundation for Arts & Development